About
I am a Brooklyn based pianist, composer and educator. Beginning from classical music then switched to jazz world, I earned Doctorate of Piano Performance at UT Austin and Master of Jazz Studies at New York University, where I also worked as Adjunct Instructor of Jazz/Pop Piano.
I've performed in various concert format including solo piano, chamber music, collaborative piano, jazz ensemble, jazz orchestra, and contemporary music band with singers. My debut jazz trio album "Before Dawn" featuring Billy Drummond, was released in 2018 with positive media reviews.
With the professional experiences in piano performance more than 27 years, I am not only possesses a profound repertoire in both classical and jazz, but also interprets the music from both perspectives in my performance and teaching.
As a pianist and band leader, I've performed in many music venues in New York including Club Bonafide, Rockwood Music Hall, ShapeShifter Lab, Tomi Jazz, Tishman Auditorium, Queensborough Performing Arts Center Theatre, The Provincetown Playhouse, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and others.
As an educator, I've worked with students in different ages and level, helped them to reach their goal by combining the approaches from these two music genres, with focus on both reading and listening, and the analytical method on music and performing practice.
Official Site - francishon.com
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We can discuss and schedule a lesson, starting with the music style and materials you are currently interested in, I can also make some recommendations to help you explore the repertoire. The lesson contents are customized based on your need and is flexible to adjust anytime. Weekly meeting basis is suggested for making a good progression. I usually travel to client's place for lessons.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
“With a confident, graceful tone and a smart harmonic sensibility...with his harmonic concept at its most sophisticated, it’s the record’s best evidence that Hon has a promising career ahead of him in this music.” — ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Francis Hon began playing classical piano at the age of six. In 2011, Francis moved to the United States to pursue a Doctorate in Classical Piano Performance at The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Gregory Allen, the Grand Prize winner of the 1980 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition. Francis was always influenced by a variety of musical genres, which formed the foundation of his future musical style.
Francis ignited his passion for jazz music in Austin, “the live music capital of the world.” While continuing his classical piano studies, he took up jazz piano with Jeff Hellmer and started playing with many musicians on the Austin jazz scene. He also worked as the Assistant Artistic Director and Lead Pianist for “Life in the City,” a weekly concert with jazz music and other genres. Francis’ final doctorate thesis in the work of Nikolai Kapustin solidified his interest in combining elements of classical music with the jazz idiom.
After graduation, Francis moved to New York City to attend the Jazz Studies Masters Program at New York University. While acting as an Adjunct Instructor of Piano at NYU, he studied with renowned musicians on today’s jazz scene, including: John Scofield, Stefon Harris, Don Friedman, Alan Broadbent, Billy Drummond, Alex Sipiagin, Ralph Lalama, Billy Drewes, Ron McClure, Tony Moreno, Alan Ferber, Michael Rodriguez, and others. He also lead his trio and quartet in various distinguished productions and events, performed in many music venues in New York including Club Bonafide, Rockwood Music Hall, ShapeShifter Lab, Tomi Jazz, Tishman Auditorium, Williamsburg Music Center, Queensborough Performing Arts Center Theatre, The Provincetown Playhouse, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and others.
In 2017, Francis co-founded World Jazz Quintet (WJQ) along with Dr. Scott Litroff, David Ullmann, Jeong Hwan Park, and Daisuke Konno. The WJQ draws from a variety of styles including jazz standard, American and Asian pop, contemporary, experimental, and folk music from around the world to produce a truly unique and highly improvisational sound.
Francis' jazz trio debut album, "Before Dawn," was released in 2018 to positive media reviews. The album consists almost entirely of Francis’ original compositions and arrangements and features Billy Drummond. Audio of the album is available on all music platforms.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$60 for 30-min lesson
$70 for 45-min lesson
$80 for 60-min lesson
For lesson in Manhattan or Brooklyn, travel fee already included in the price.
What types of students have you worked with?
As a professional music educator, I've worked with students from beginner to advanced level in diverse background.