Meet our 2019
Artist in Resident
François Bessing is a Puerto Rican/Cameroonian Bass-Baritone, songwriter, lyricist, who co-founded SocoPop Records LLC, a music publishing and distribution company. Two of his original songs were licensed by Spotify executives for industry placement, two different songs were incorporated into the 2018/2019 TIGER tour in the show “Brand New Day”, and he along with his band were featured on regional radio where they also performed live. He has been grateful to learn from the great Cathy Chemi of the Harry James band, the unmatched opportunity to sing for Patti Labelle onstage, and the great honor of singing backup for Kenny Rogers at his Christmas concert in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Bessing enjoys cooking, playing tennis, ping pong, chess, going on nature walks, watching anime, and exploring faith, philosophy, and the arts. He hope to continue his studies in operatic performance as a Bass-Baritone in Italy or London and he’s begun applying for such opportunities.
He looks forward to helping Waterville Valley sing at the Rey Center where he will hold a MasterClass for vocal performance, a songwriting session for five people, and a recital so everyone can present what they’ve worked on followed by food!
He hopes to inspire singing as a lifelong activity and hopes his residency will encourage everyone to pursue their dreams no matter what.
Bessing’s favorite quote of recent comes from an anime he’s been following called “My Hero Academia" which said: “My actions are the shape of my dreams.” (Iida)
Bessing enjoys cooking, playing tennis, ping pong, chess, going on nature walks, watching anime, and exploring faith, philosophy, and the arts. He hope to continue his studies in operatic performance as a Bass-Baritone in Italy or London and he’s begun applying for such opportunities.
He looks forward to helping Waterville Valley sing at the Rey Center where he will hold a MasterClass for vocal performance, a songwriting session for five people, and a recital so everyone can present what they’ve worked on followed by food!
He hopes to inspire singing as a lifelong activity and hopes his residency will encourage everyone to pursue their dreams no matter what.
Bessing’s favorite quote of recent comes from an anime he’s been following called “My Hero Academia" which said: “My actions are the shape of my dreams.” (Iida)
Hans and Margret Rey at their cottage in Waterville Valley, working together on an image of Curious George.
Photo courtesy of the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection |
The Rey Cultural Center Artist Residency offers professional and emerging artists in all media an opportunity to pursue and share their art and artistic process while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the mountain village of Waterville Valley, NH. Through the Curious George Cottage Artist Residency, we hope to provide an outlet for the creative spark that ignites an individual or entire community to embrace the arts as an essential part of daily life. This Program is supported by the Curious George Foundation.
Contact The Rey Center at 603-236-3308 or via email. Meet our 2014 Artist in Residence: Marty Kelley
Meet our 2015 Artist in Residence: Amanda Maffei Meet our 2016 Artist in Residence: Nicky Phillips Meet our 2017 Artist in Residence: Corwin Levi Meet our 2018 Artist in Residence: Erin Sanger |