Robert studied with Zara Nelsova and Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School in New York. Masters Degree at the Manhattan School was with David Soyer, cellist of the Guarneri Quartet. He has been a member of the Sendai Philharmonic in Japan, freelanced with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and been a member of the Binneas Quartet in Melbourne, performing in the Sunset Series at the National Gallery of Victoria as well as participating in the Port Fairy and Castlemaine State Festivals.
Robert has also worked with the Szigeti Trio, presenting educational recitals in Chiang Mai as well as in Bangkok for the Australian Embassy. Other noteworthy collaborations include duo recitals with Robert Chamberlain at Barwon Park Mansion in Winchelsea as part of the Team of Pianists’ Rigg Bequest Series, as well as in Ripponlea.
Robert is in demand as a competition adjudicator, and is a regular contributing reviewer for Stringendo Magazine.
Robert is a passionate and engaged teacher who believes that learning is a two-way interactive process requiring equal input from the teacher and pupil alike.
He has teaching experience with all age groups, both privately and in the private as well as public school system, in addition to students of Monash University. Robert is happy to teach more popular and contemporary music, but his emphasis is on the classical repertoire.
He has also taught adults at an advanced level on both piano and cello and equally enjoys working with intermediate and less advanced levels.
Robert does not have a strict regime of time commitment or sequence of practicing, but encourages the student to learn problem solving and how to think for themselves, independently. Robert’s approach is innovative and fluid, tailored to the student’s age, mentality and level of ambition.
Robert feels it is in important to develop a personalized approach for each student, through which they can develop a greater playing self-awareness and confidence to be expressive.
Lessons are offered at my home studio in McKinnon on most weekdays, as well as Saturdays.
