Originally from central Virginia, Robert Brooks Carlson is an emerging artist committed to interpersonal and community engagement through solo and collaborative performance. Currently, Robert studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM) with the internationally acclaimed pianist Soyeon Kate Lee.

Robert has performed in Spain, Germany, Netherlands, and throughout the United States. He has participated in the Saarburg and Bowdoin International Chamber Music Festivals, Art of the Piano in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Gijón International Piano Festival, and the International Holland Music Sessions. Robert has appeared in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Emanuel Ax, Jeremy Denk, Julian Martin, Robert McDonald, Awadagin Pratt, Boris Slutsky, Wei Yi Yang, and Kwan Yi. Recently, Robert completed fellowships at the Gilmore Festival and PianoFest in the Hamptons during the summer of 2022.

A devoted chamber musician, Robert proudly served as the collaborative artist for Hear Us Hear Them—a choir based in Cincinnati with the mission to program works by underrepresented and marginalized composers—during its 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons. Additionally, Robert is a member of the Rhine Piano Trio, along with violinist Kristine Clair Uchi Galano and cellist Juneho Josh Kim. While Robert has primarily coached with the violinist Kristin Lee, previous coaches have included Masumi Per Rostad, Ian Swensen, and Dror Biran.

Robert has won numerous awards in recent years, the special prize for the Best Performance of a Work by Robert Schumann at the 2022 Seattle International Piano Competition, second prize in the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artists Competition and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Chamber Music Competition. Previous collaborative and concert engagements have included the James Madison University Wind Symphony and the Rapidan Orchestra as soloist, as well as the James Madison University Opera Theatre and Treble Chamber Choir.

Prior to his studies with Soyeon Kate Lee, Robert received his Bachelor’s of Music degree from James Madison University magna cum laude with Paulo Steinberg, along with minors in Mathematics and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Previous teacher’s also include Emily Yap Chua and Nicholas Ross in Lynchburg, Virginia. Other notable influences include Lori Piitz and Kwan Yi. Besides piano, Robert enjoys creative and academic writing, baking, coffee, and relaxing with his cat, Olive.

Listen and learn more at rbcarlson.com.