Francia Mann grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan and began her violin studies as a Junior Girl at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, MI. She holds music education degrees from Michigan State and Idaho State Universities, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Francia has taught violin privately for many years. Much of her teaching has involved the Suzuki method of starting young children. She also taught in public schools in Michigan, Idaho, and Poughkeepsie. She taught violin pedagogy and Suzuki teacher training at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Hudson Valley Philharmonic became Francia’s musical home in 1987. She also played in the HVP Chamber Orchestra and the Woodstock Symphony orchestra in earlier Poughkeepsie years. She served on the HVP Orchestra Committee several times, including as its chairman. With fellow HVP string players, she played in the Taghkanic String Quartet from 1998-2004.