Frank van Essen is a drummer and violinist who plays in Celtic folk themed band Iona. He has been a session and live musician and played with numerous artists including Margaret Becker, Rick Cua, Marcel McArthur, Jessy Dixon, Billy and Sarah Gaines, Joanne Hogg, Susan Ashton, Timothy Boyd, Julie and Buddy Miller, Nina Åström, Adrian Snell, Chris Eaton, Ralph van Manen, Dave Fitzgerald and Barry & Batya Segal.

In 1989 van Essen met Iona's Dave Bainbridge who was touring with Adrian Snell's The Passion. In 1990 he joined Iona, but left after recording only one album. Van Essen re-joined the band in the late 90's and has been a member ever since.