A. Francois Henkins

Francois Henkins, a native of South Africa, started violin lessons with his father at the age of six. In 2000, he came to study with Hal Grossman at the Interlochen Arts Academy in the U.S. While there, he went to the final round of the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music competition. Francois earned a Bachelor's degree in 2007 from Western Michigan University, under the tutelage of Renata Artman Knific. In 2009, he earned a Master's degree from the Chicago College of the Performing Arts, where he studied with Robert Chen and Nathan Cole.

Over the years, Francois has been a guest soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony and the Free State Symphony of South Africa. He also won a position with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and has taught privately and for the Bostabelo Outreach String Program in South Africa. Most recently, Francois was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for two years.

Francois has attended the Musicorda Chamber Music Festival and the Cleveland Orchestra's Kent/Blossom Music Festival, where he was awarded the Josef Gingold Award for his distinguished performance in chamber music. Francois has also studied with William Preucil, Stephen Rose, Andrew Jennings, Ivan Chan and the Emerson Quartet.