Francesca Knowles

Multi-instrumentalist based in the North East of England. Performs and records primarily on drum kit, with additional skills and experience on keys, percussion and backing vocals. Undergraduate music degree at University of Leeds (2009-2012) and MA in Ethnomusicology at the University of Sheffield (2014). Drum kit and piano teacher, workshop leader, performer, recording artist, and member of international touring street theatre show ‘Spark!’ by Worldbeaters Music. Current band projects include Amy Thatcher and Fran Knowles, Ceitidh Mac, Ruth Lyon, Beccy Owen & the Refuge, Elizabeth Liddle, and Poor Moi, as well as regular drumming dep and function gigs. In May 2021 Fran received funding from Arts Council England to develop her creative practice as an instrumental composer, arranger and ensemble leader: alongside her current projects she is working on an EP of original music set for release in 2023.