Born and educated in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank Townsell made his first professional appearance with the Kansas City Youth Symphony Orchestra in 1959. He had been a student of the piano since the age of 5, winning many honors and awards along the way. Among his educational and musical degrees, he received a B.A. in French Literature from the University of Missouri while continuing his piano studies with Richard Canterbury. Frank Townsell received a Master of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, while studying piano with Dr. Dale Reubart.

In 1971 Townsell received the diploma from the Fontainebleau Conservatoire in Paris. At that time his principle teachers were Nadia Boulanger, Robert Casadesus, and Jean-Jacques Painchaud. He scored a triumph at his Paris debut, which led to further successful appearances in France. At Reid Hall in Paris he was soloist on a recital program in honor of Mlle. Boulanger, was also featured on programs at Fontainebleau, and performed a recital at the Centre Culturel Américain.

Townsell has performed at music festivals in Columbia, Missouri, and London, England. Awards include the Kansas City Music Club Award, the Vancouver Philharmonic Award, and an award from the Échanges et Bibliothèques, Paris. The Échanges - the source of funding for his stay in Paris - was headed by Mme. Gruner-Schlumberger, who introduced him to musicians Pierre Fournier, Ralph Kirkpatrick, Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Rose, Eugene Istomin, and Alexander Schneider.

Townsell has researched, performed, and recorded works of African-American composers John William "Blind" Boone and Clarence Cameron White. He is currently at work studying the music and the careers of George Bridgetower and Charles Lucien Lambert.

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