At the age of twelve, Frances Grace Borowsky performed her debut recital at Carnegie Hall as a recipient of the Erick Friedman Prize for Outstanding Young Musicians, wowing the audience and the press and establishing herself as one of the leading cellists of her generation.

Frances first drew the attention of great cello masters as a highly gifted and expressive young musician at the age of seven. Her meeting with legendary cellist Zara Nelsova at the World Cello Congress III was featured in a documentary film.

Since then, she has performed throughout the USA as well as Canada, Mexico, Israel, Jordan, Indonesia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Germany, Poland, and Norway. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras in the USA and China (including the renowned Tianjin Symphony Orchestra). Most recently, she performed Pre-Olympic concerts in China and was awarded an Artist-in-Residence grant by the Heidelberg Arts Council (Germany).

Frances hails from an exceptional musical family. Her mother (Cecylia Barczyk) is a cellist and professor and her father has used music as a tool in pursuing international relations. She frequently performs together with her brother (violinist Emmanuel Borowsky) and sister (pianist Elizabeth Borowsky). Together, they are called The Young American Virtuosi. Frances is featured on “Musical Favorites of All Times,” their 2004 CD recording (ICRecords).

Shortly after meeting Frances at the World Cello Congress III, American composer Jody Nagel wrote and dedicated “Six Harmonic Etudes for a Young Piano Trio” to her and her siblings. In 2004, he wrote another Trio for this ensemble, “Fantasy Cantabile.” In 2006, Frances and her mother performed the world-premiere of Nagel's concerto for two celli, “A Ride Through The Nebula,” at the International Cello Festival in Baltimore, Maryland.

Frances has studied cello with her mother since she was four years old. She has also been mentored by cellists Janos Starker, Irene Sharp, Zara Nelsova, Alexander Huelshoff, Gunnar Kvaran, and Michael Flaksman. At the age of fourteen, she was admitted to the Honor's College of Towson University as a full-time student, and was granted a full scholarship. She is the recipient of awards including the Young Casal Prize (from the International Friends of the Cello) and first place at the Maryland State Music Teachers Association String Competition.

Among the highlights of the 2008-09 season is an East-Coast tour with the Young German Symphony Orchestra, performing the celebrated Beethoven Triple Concerto with her siblings.

Website: http://www.FrancesBorowsky.com

FROM THE PRESS...

“As an introduction Frances-Grace selected a virtuoso delicacy with David Popper's 'Spinning Song' and performed with pleasurable witticism. And then she showed a high level of artistry in the Brahms’ Cello Sonata in e-minor, finding great expression and depth in the elegies and emotions of this piece.” Heidelberg Rhein-Neckar Zeitung (Germany)

“The Baltimore ‘wunderkinder’ gave an excellent performance. They demonstrated that not age, but talent counts.”
The Jakarta Post (Indonesia)

“A superb performance by the American Virtuosi. The audience filled the Vacha Aula to the brim and the standing ovation seemed to go on forever!”
Thuringer Zeitung (Germany)

“She performed with solid technique, but also deep musicality and an impressive personality.” Tianjin Times (China)

“Bravo! What an impressive performance!”
Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland)

“Frances was totally charming in her performance; playing on a cello which seemed as if it would overwhelm her but never did. The response from the audience was shown in their long, vigorous applause.” Irwin Goldberg, Applewood Concerts, N.J.