Massimiliano Frani facts for kids

Massimiliano Frani (born January 10, 1967 – died March 31, 2023) was a talented Italian pianist, composer, and music pedagogue (which means he was a music teacher). He started a special project called MET – Music Education Therapy. He also directed the Armoniæ Centro Internazionale di Musica e Cultura. Later in his life, he taught music at Elevations RTC, a special center in Syracuse, Utah, for teenagers.

Early Life and Education

Massimiliano Frani began learning piano at the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia in Venice, Italy. He was a very good student and graduated with honors. After studying literature and theater at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, he moved to the United States.

He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. There, he earned two advanced degrees: a Master’s and a Ph.D. His studies focused on music, piano performance, and how to teach piano. He learned from famous teachers like Vincenzo Pertile, Paul Pollei, and Jan Ekier.

A Talented Performer

Frani performed music with many different groups and orchestras. He played in concerts in several countries, including Italy, the US, Japan, Germany, Canada, and Hungary. Critics who heard him play described his performances as "spiritually resonant," meaning they touched people's hearts. They also called his concerts "high-class listening experience[s]," showing how much they enjoyed his music.

Besides playing the piano, Frani also conducted orchestras in different countries. He worked with many well-known musicians, such as Martin Jones, Hiroko Nakamura, Alexander Peskanov, and Livia Rev. For many years, he was part of a group called the American Piano Quartet. He performed with Paul Pollei, Jeffrey Shumway, and Mack Wilberg in this group.

Frani also took part in important piano competitions. He competed in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and the Esther Honen’s International Piano Competition. He won many national piano competitions in Italy, like the Concorso Nazionale Pianistico Premio Venezia. Starting in 1994, he often served as a judge for international piano competitions. This included the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and others in Montreal and Tokyo.

Helping Music Organizations

After finishing his studies, Massimiliano Frani worked in different roles helping to manage performing arts organizations. He was an Associate Director at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also worked as an Artistic Consultant for the International Piano Academy Lake Como in Italy. This academy was dedicated to the famous pianist Martha Argerich.

He also served as the Superintendent of the Orchestra del Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy. In these roles, Frani helped these organizations grow. He developed new programs, reached out to more people, and helped them get funding. He played a key role in their success.

At the time of his passing, Frani was teaching musical arts. He taught at Elevations RTC, which is a residential treatment center in Syracuse, Utah. This center helps teenagers aged 13 to 18.

Teaching Music

Massimiliano Frani was a dedicated music teacher. He gave many seminars and masterclasses. He also presented lectures at universities, music academies, and conferences around the world. For example, he taught at the Park City International Chamber Music Festival in the USA. He also taught at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany. Other places included the International Piano Academy Lake Como in Italy and the ASPEN Education Group in the USA. He worked with famous music teachers like Joseph Banowetz, Edna Golandsky, Lee Kum-Sing, and Arie Vardi.

Frani also started and directed an international project called MET-Music Education Therapy™. This project uses different fields of study together. It combines music pedagogy (how to teach music), cognitive psychology (how the mind works), and neuropsychiatry (the study of brain and mental health). The MET project uses music to help very young babies who were born too early.

His Compositions

Massimiliano Frani also composed music. Here are some of his works:

• Wind’s Waltz, Album Pianistico: This was composed for Brigham Young University in Provo, USA, in 2010.
• Indian Travesty: This was a film score (music for a movie) for a documentary by Bright Line Films in Hollywood, USA, in 2009.
• Frank: This was another film score for a movie by Bright Line Films in Hollywood, USA, in 2009.
• Chant: This was an opera in three acts. He composed it for the Fondazione Amici dell’Arena in Verona, Italy, in 2008.