A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Frances Farrell pursued her music studies in Winnipeg, graduating with both Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Manitoba. She subsequently earned a Master's Degree and Artist's Diploma in vocal performance from McGill University. Fran is enrolled in her fourth year of the Doctoral program in Choral Conducting at the University of Toronto where she studied with Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt. This year, Fran will continue her doctoral research into the role of improvisation in choral settings while maintaining a position with the Halifax Regional School Board as a choral educator within the Halifax AllCity Music program.