D. Ward Francis, born in 1992, is a native of Cary, North Carolina. He began his piano studies at the age of four and discovered his composition talents at the age of 12. Since then he has written more than 40 works for a variety of instruments and ensembles.
This is a descriptive overview of his composition style:
An intense pursuit of building tension and eventual release, in sound worlds that blur the outer edges of tonality and are unified through small, simple motives.
Occasionally, he uses recordings or live electronics in his pieces.
Although primarily a pianist with an ardent interest in playing 20th century works, he is also an active member in Appalachian State University’s The Steely Pan Steel Band.
He has been a student of both Dr. Michael Rothkopf and Dr. Bill Pruett. Currently he is an undergraduate composition student of Dr. Scott Meister and a piano student of internationally acclaimed Dr. Bair Shagdaron.