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Frank grew up in Vancouver where he studied piano with Dianne Globe and Dr. Robert Rogers. He began conducting at age 15 when he was asked to take over a Youth Choir.
Mr. Klassen continued his musical education at college and university in Winnipeg, where he majored in both conducting and piano. Frank became Music Director of the College Orchestra and made his symphonic conducting début in 1983.
Maestro Franz Paul Decker and Dr. William Baerg urged him to continue his studies in Europe, where he did his graduate work in Mannheim and also studied with Ferdinand Leitner and Sergiu Celibidache. He founded the Junges Mozart Orchester and began working professionally as an opera conductor, conducting his opera début in 1986.
In addition to working in numerous opera houses in Germany and Switzerland, Mr. Klassen has conducted Symphony Orchestras in Europe, North and South America.
As of 2005 Frank is the Music Director of Opera Appassionata. He lives and works in Vancouver when he is not guest-conducting or adjudicating elsewhere.