Francesca Barritt began learning the violin at the age of 9 with Joan Penrose in Berkhamsted. She later attended the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department and was member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Francesca recently graduated with First Class Honours from the Royal College of Music, where she studied with Professor Yossi Zivoni, and plans to continue her studies in London in September.

Whilst at the RCM, Francesca was chosen to lead the Symphony and Opera Orchestras. Francesca has been the permanent leader of the Amadeus Orchestra since 2006 and has also performed as leader of The Orion Symphony Orchestra, Syred Sinfonia, City Side Sinfonia, Orchestra of St. Pauls and Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra. Since graduating Francesca has appeared with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, English Touring Opera and, most recently, in the BBC Proms with the hand-picked John Wilson Orchestra in a performance of MGM film music.

Francesca is a very keen chamber musician. In 2005 she took part in the renowned chamber music master classes at Prussia Cove, Cornwall. More recently she has appeared in festivals in the Lake District and Wales and been lucky enough to receive tuition from such eminent performers as the Chillingirian and Kuss Quartets and Natalie Klein. Francesca is a member of the Del Mar Piano Trio and is often invited to perform as part of other established chamber ensembles. She recently appeared as the leader of a large chamber ensemble at the Purcell Room.

As a soloist, Francesca's numerous performances have included Bruch, Mendelssohn and Bach concertos and have taken her as far afield as the west coast of Wales! This season she will perform Brahms' double concerto for violin and 'cello in Birmingham, Max Bruch's Scottish Fantasy with the Aylesbury Symphony orchestra and the Lark Ascending in Well's and Exeter Cathedrals and Tring Parish Church.

Francesca is very grateful for the loan of a Sanctus Seraphin violin made in 1737.