Born on the Isle of Wight Robert gained his BA(Hons) in music from the University of Exeter, where he studied piano with Katherine Miller.  During his time at University Robert received Faculty and Dean’s Commendations for his contribution to the department and won the Cawthra prize for continuing performance studies at postgraduate level.  He was also awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham Scholarship and gained the highest recital mark within the year. 

Robert went on to study accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) under Michael Dussek and Graeme Humphrey.  Whilst at the Academy he was in great demand as an accompanist for masterclasses, recitals and singing lessons and was awarded the Pilcher Prize 2004.  He then became a Junior Fellow at RAM, holding the Hodgeson Fellowship during which time he was affiliated to the Vocal and Opera faculties, employed principally as répétiteur for Academy Opera Productions. 

Following this Robert undertook the Répétiteur’s course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD).  Whilst at the Guildhall Robert acted as music staff on productions including Puccini’s Gianni Schicci and Il Tabarro, played continuo harpsichord in Mozart’s La Finta Semplice under Nicholas Kok, and appeared on the BBC Radio3’s ‘In Tune’ programme. 

In 2007 Robert was awarded the Leonard Hancock Trust Bursary and in the following year conducted off-stage for the Royal Opera House (ROH) in their production of Matilde di Shabran.  Robert was then appointed Trainee Repetiteur at English National Opera working as music staff on productions including Johnathan Miller’s La Bohème, David Alden’s Peter Grimes and the revival of Anthony Minghella’s production of Madama Butterfly.  Most recently he participated in a ‘taster’ performance of Tarik O’Regan’s new composition, Heart of Darkness, in a joint venture between Opera East and ROH2. 

Robert has acted as vocal coach and répétiteur for ENO Opera Works, Kentish Opera,  Trinity College of Music (TCM), British Youth Opera, Opera Della Luna, Unexpected Opera,  Surrey Opera and Co-Operative Opera Company.  Future engagements as Répétiteur include Rigoletto for Iford Arts and Le Nozze di Figaro for Co-Operative Opera Company.   Robert combines his performance work with coaching Postgraduate Opera Scenes at Trinity College of Music.

Robert is a staff accompanist for the RAM, TCM and GSMD and has accompanied numerous final recitals, masterclasses and performance classes with leading singers and instrumentalists.  For two years he was an official accompanist for the Musiké International Academy in Durham working with Maurice Bourgue and Christoph Richter.  As a keen clarinettist himself, Robert has a passion for accompanying the instrument.  He has collaborated with the internationally renowned clarinettist Julian Bliss on a number of occasions including the Harpenden Music Festival and the Mananan Music & Arts Festival on the Isle of Man.  In October 2010 Robert enjoyed his Wigmore Hall Debut.