Francisco Bernier
First prize at the prestigious International Competition “Michele Pittaluga” in Alessandria (Italy).
He began his musical studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Seville with teachers Juan Carlos Rivera and Serafín Arriaza. In 1994 he moved to France to continue his musicals studies at the Ecole Normale "Alfred Cortot" in Paris under the direction of Maestro Alberto Ponce. He received the Superior Diploma of Execution and Concert Performer by unanimous decision and with the jury’s congratulations.
From 1998 to 2002, Francisco continued his excellent formation at the Hochschule für Musik of Cologne (Germany), at the Université du Québec in Montréal (Canada) and at Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris (France). He also attended master classes with Alvaro Pierri, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer, David Russel, José Tomas, Oscar Ghiglia and received advice from composers, orchestra conductors and musicians from other disciplines.
He has taken part in many radio and TV recordings: for the Deutsche Welle, Cadena Ser, R.T.V.E, R.A.I, Radio France International, Radio Clasica, Radio Classique and France Musiques.
He won some important prizes at the International Competitions of Bari (Italy), Montélimar (France), Pozoblanco and Infanta Cristina (Spain). Recently finalist at the Concert Artist Guild in New York, he is also Laureates of the Foundations Meyer and Beracasa (France) and Honour Diplom. Academia Chigiana of Siena (Italy)
He then began an international career and was noticed by the audience and the critics, being considered as one the finest musician of his generation. He has performed extensively in more than 25 countries in Europe, Africa, America and Asia. He also performed in prestigious halls like the Salle Cortot, Théâtre Mogador, Grand Théâtre in Bordeaux, Auditorium J. Turina in Seville, Tsuda Hall in Tokyo or the Hermitage Museum in Saint-Petersburg.
In 2002, he performed for the first time in the United States at the American Guitar Society; this concert projects him to Zellerbach Hall to premiere the concerto of Sekiya with Kent Nagano and the Berkeley Symphony. His success increases and opens the door to Asia: Malaysia, Philippines, Burma, Laos and a big tour of Japan concluding at Oji Hall in Tokyo.
Francisco teache now at Seville "Superior" Conservatory of Music.
