Originally from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Úna-Frances was awarded a BMus degree with first class honours from University College Dublin in 2004, having completed a BA in Modern Irish the previous year. In 2006 she graduated with an MMus degree (Music Theory and Analysis) from King’s College, London.
An active musician, Úna-Frances studied both flute and piano at Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she was successful in attaining a Licentiate teaching diploma in 2004 (LRIAM).
She has performed with many orchestras and chamber ensembles including WELB Senior Youth Orchestra, where she held the position of principal flute for three years, Western Sinfonia, and UCD Sinfonia. She was privileged to be a member of National Youth Orchestra of Ireland when they became the first youth orchestra to perform the entire cycle of Wagner’s Das Ring der Nibelungen in 2002, and Concerto Soloist with UCD Baroque Orchestra in 2003-2004.
Whilst an undergraduate, Úna-Frances co-founded and edited The Musicology Review, a yearly publication dedicated to disseminating the work and ideas of undergraduate and postgraduate students from University College Dublin and other centres of learning. She continues to be involved with the academic yearbook as a member of the editorial board, and the third issue is currently in production.
Úna-Frances is currently employed in a music publishing company in central London.