Frances is a descendant of the Wirangu and Mirning Tribes from the West Coast of South Australia. She also has German heritage.

Frances is a descendant of the Wirangu and Mirning Tribes from the West Coast of South Australia. In 2002, Frances made her choreographic debut with the company with the critically-acclaimed Rations bill of Walkabout. Frances has followed this by creating six works for the company; Bush (co-choreography), Unaipon, X300, Artefact, Terrain and Sheoak. Terrain is on the 2019–2021 NSW Higher School Certificate Dance Syllabus.

In 2004, Bulletin Magazine named Frances in their Smart 100, following the world premiere of her work Unaipon at The Adelaide Festival of the Arts. Frances has choreographed works for many of Australia’s leading dance companies including West Australian Ballet and Tasdance as well as continuing a successful independent career. Frances has danced in works by many of Australia’s leading Choreographers and companies including Meryl Tankard, Leigh Warren, and Legs on the Wall.

Internationally, Frances has been fortunate to establish important intercultural relationships with First Nations performing arts companies in Canada and New Zealand.

Frances directed her first end of year production for NAISDA Dance College titled your Skin, my Skin in 2014, following with Kamu (2015), From Sand to Stage (2016) and Restoration (2017). In 2016, Frances was appointed Head of Creative Studies at the College.

In 2019, Frances returned to Bangarra in the position of Associate Artistic Director. In December 2021, she was announced as the next Artistic Director of the company, after Stephen Page steps down from the role in 2023 after 32 years.