Frances Ho is currently completing a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting at the University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the tutelage of Dr. Carolyn Watson. She previously held the
position of Assistant Conductor of the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra working as the
Graduate Teaching Assistant where she also regularly directed the University of Kansas
University Orchestra.
Frances was formerly the music director for the Belmont Opera in Nashville, Tennessee. She
also established the Belmont University Student Orchestra in 2019. In 2016, she directed the
Washington state premiere of Bill Rauch’s Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella with the nationally
renowned Roosevelt HS Theatre and was nominated for best pit direction through the Fifth
Avenue Theatre Awards.
Recently, Frances was invited to conduct the Corporación Universitaria Reformada Symphony
Orchestra in Barranquilla, Colombia where she debuted Symphony No. 2 by composer James
Schutmaat. Frances was also selected to conduct at the 2022 College Orchestra Directors
Association Masterclass with Teddy Abrams.
Frances has had former instruction under Dr. Roberg Gregg as well as received instruction from
Mark Shapiro through EAMA and Julliard, Robin Fountain at Vanderbilt University, and Don
Schleicher through additional courses and workshops.