First Violin

Praised by The Boston Globe for her “full tone” and “striking generosity of expression,” violinist Francesca Bass joined the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s first violin section in 2023. Francesca has appeared as concertmaster of the Verbier Festival Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, and Canton Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra.

Francesca appeared on NPR’s From the Top at age fifteen, performing Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate in Boston’s Jordan Hall with pianist Christopher O’Reilly. A Boston native, she attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division, where she was awarded the String Department Award, and has appeared in recital and as concerto soloist with orchestras throughout the New England area. Francesca received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Jaime Laredo, Joel Smirnoff, and Jinjoo Cho, and was awarded the Anna Y. Tringas Award, recognizing an exceptional violinist. She received her Master of Music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music as a student of Paul Kantor.

A passionate chamber musician, Francesca has collaborated with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the late Joseph Silverstein at the Meadowmount School of Music. She has appeared with the Nashville Chamber Music Society, and toured Asia in 2019 with a piano quintet as part of Lincoln Center Stage aboard Holland America’s Westerdam. Francesca was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2018 and 2019, where she worked with members of the Juilliard Quartet and was awarded the Jules C. Reiner Violin Prize. She has participated in masterclasses with Pinchas Zukerman, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Sharon Robinson, Ani Kavafian, and Pamela Frank.

Francesca’s former teachers include Julianne Lee, Aza Raykhtsaum, Anait Arutunian, and Lilia Muchnik.