Robert H. TakeLessons Instructor music, guitar Baltimore, MD

Robert was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While growing up he was exposed to music at a very early age, mainly that of his parents’ generation from the local folk singers in and around town, to the local hometown hero’s such as Prince and Bob Dylan. With rebellion in his blood, inherited from his political activist parents, Robert immersed himself in classical music. From an early age it captivated him, first delving into classical music by studying trumpet, which would prove only to be a stepping-stone to the guitar. Once turned on to the beautiful sounds of the classical guitar, Robert never looked back. While music did not seem to run through the family, after several years of study Robert discovered that his great grandmother was a classical guitarist as well, who played in a guitar trio before she left Norway in the late 19th century.

Robert is currently attending the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of Julian Gray.  He has played in master classes with Franco Platino and Piotr Zielinski of the Levine School of Music, Eliot Fisk of the New England Conservatory, Benjamin Verdery of the Yale School of Music and studied privately with Denis Azabagic of the Roosevelt University. While a student at the Levine School of Music he studied under Franco Platino and Risa Carlson, achieving top honors. Robert graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 2004, and was asked to return and teach only a year later. In his second year at Peabody Robert was also already teaching at the Community College of Baltimore County. He has performed in the Washington, DC area including the Ellington Theater, where he was a concerto soloist, Blues Alley, a historic Jazz club in Georgetown, the Tudor Place, the former home of Martha Washington, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as giving a private recital for the National Endowment for the Arts.

In the coming years Robert has many projects under way. While continuing his teaching career, he will also be having recitals throughout China, as well as Norway in the coming years. Being of Norwegian decent, Robert hopes to explore the works of obscure Norwegian composers in the future, both with commissions as well as transcribing earlier works by lesser known composers.

When not performing or teaching Robert enjoys camping and canoeing, especially in the Boundary Waters between America and Canada, it is the silence and peace that draws him to the great outdoors.

Come expecting to improve and be challenged. I will push you to accomplish your needs and desires. While I do push my students I make sure they have an enjoyable experience. Music may not always be easy, but it should always be rewarding. 

music, guitar