His mother, Eloisa D'Agostino Richmond
Mrs. Irene Vely, Soloist with the Susquehanna Valley Symphony Orchestra, PA
Mrs. Mary Russell, Professor of Music at Lycoming College in PA
Mr. Harry Williamson-PA
Miss Myrtle Stroop-PA
Dr. Robert Carter-Pa
Mr. & Mrs. Ozan Marsh
Mr. George Kelver
Mr. John Bracey
Madame Freda Pastor Berkwitz - Curtis Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Concert Pianist Earl Wild-Masters Program, Penn State University & Wild's teaching assistant-1969-'71
Franko became an Assistant professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh-1972-'73
Franko performed at Woodstock Anniversary Concerts
Franko is listed among the prestigious international Steinway Artists Roster of Pianists.
Franko is registered with BMI.
Franko, at age 23, performed Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' as the guest soloist with The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., on May 1-3, 1973 under the baton of conductor, Anatol Dorati.
Franko at age 15, performed in Carnegie Hall with his brothers Norman & Dennis...known as 'The Richmond Brothers.'
Franko at age 18, was a semi-finalist in the International Bach Competition at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in December 1966.
Franko, at age 20 and the protege of Classical Concert Pianist Earl Wild, performed as a solo pianist at Mr. Wild's concert at The Desert Museum in Palm Springs, CA on October 23, 1970.
Franko's song, "The Time Has Come" became a children's environmental theme song in the 1990's, was translated into 30 languages, performed at United Nations events in NYC, most significantly at The UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro & Manaus, Brazil in 1992 with homeless street children singing to world leaders; and at Peace events & Earth Day events in the US & internationally.
Franko was the recipient of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts–
"2001 Renaissance Award."
This award enabled him to orchestrate his original composition, 'Concerto Latino' - a suite of six dance movements. Concerto Latino had its world premiere to a sold-out audience with the Key West Pops Orchestra under conductor, Vincent Zito on March 3, 2002 and back-by-popular demand was repeated in the KW Pops Holiday Concert on December 16, 2002.
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