Angelique Francis’ Path from Student to Award-Winning Artist
Lead image by Will Byington
By Ahmed Minhas
Angelique Francis was seven years old the first time she sang in front of an audience. She didn’t know it then, but music would come to define her life.
Growing up in Ottawa, Francis was immersed in music. Her father ran a home studio where her parents used music to teach their children about the world. As a shy kid, she wrote songs to express her feelings.
Today, Francis is a celebrated singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and JUNO Award winner whose latest album was nominated for the Blues Music Award for International Album of the Year.
Before her international success, she was a student at Carleton University, where she credits the university’s flexible Bachelor of Music (BMus) with helping her build on the talent she already had while developing both her skills and confidence as an artist.
The Only Program of its Kind in Canada
When it came to deciding where to pursue higher education, Francis already knew where she wanted to go.
“Carleton is special because it’s the only bachelor’s degree music program in Canada that offers a singer-songwriter stream,” Francis explains.
“As a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist, that was really important to me.”
Additionally, the program’s flexibility set it apart. Rather than locking students into a single discipline, it allows them to pursue virtually any direction.
Over the course of her degree, Francis studied classical double bass, jazz upright bass improvisation, music business, film composition and blues harmonica, among other areas. She also developed production techniques through Carleton that she continues to use today to independently produce, engineer and master her albums.
Carleton also supported her beyond the classroom, which was important as she was already a professional musician when she enrolled.
Thanks to the support she received, Francis was able to continue performing and touring throughout her degree — travelling internationally, even during exam season — without sacrificing her academic standing.
“I was able to pursue a full-time academic career while also pursuing a full-time professional musician career,” Francis explains.
“During my time at Carleton, I travelled around the world and was still able to graduate at the top of my class.”
A Community That Stays With You
When asked what she remembers most fondly about Carleton, she says it’s the people.
“Everyone knew your name,” says Francis.
“There’s a really great community, not only with the support you receive from the professors, but the students were very tight-knit. It’s a place where you feel like you’re part of a really strong community, and there’s a sense of belonging and positivity.”
Since graduating, Francis has established a successful career that was assisted by the same independence and range her Carleton experience cultivated. It’s also thanks to the love of family.
The Angelique Francis Band is an independent family act, with her father and three sisters, one of whom (Kira Francis) is currently studying in Carleton’s music program.
“No matter where we go, no matter how far we go, home is always on the road with us,” Francis explains. “To be able to build something for my family — with my family — and to do what I love with those that I love is such an incredible thing.”
Other members of the Angelique Francis Band include Carleton BMus grads Dave Williamson and Andrew Knox, and BMus performance instructor and ensemble director Ed Lister.
In 2023, Francis’ album Long River won a JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year. She’s also received numerous Canadian and American blues music award nominations as well as two Maple Blues Awards.
Her latest album, Not Defeated, features collaborations with Grammy Award winners Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Eric Gales, and was nominated for the 2026 Blues Music Award for International Album of the Year.
The album’s title doubles as a philosophy. Its songs are about facing challenges and finding a way through them — carried by love, music and each other.
“As long as we have love, as long as we have music, and as long as we support and uplift one another, we can make it through absolutely anything and we will not be defeated,” says Francis.
For students deciding between a creative career and a university degree, Francis is proof they don’t have to choose.
“Equipping yourself with as many tools as possible can give you a competitive edge that will help you get closer to reaching your goals,” says Francis. “Never stop learning and always continue to grow and challenge yourself.”
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