Album Notes

Robin Holtz Williams and the Piano

My mother said that as a two year I often crawled up to the piano and wiggled the keys. When I was five I attended my first neighborhood piano recital. I can still recall everything about the room where I sat and about the child playing the piano. It was then and there that I decided to play the piano when I grew up.

I would spend all kinds of practice time making up music and generally "messing around". My adventures with the piano ever since have been as much explorations into my soul as learning the mechanics of how to play. Most of life's revelations have come to me while practicing. For me, playing the piano is like a runner's high. It makes me feel vibrant and alive.

I have developed a style that looks and sounds effortless. My study has been to appreciate how the body moves and flows through the music. As a result, the music on this CD brings ease and serenity to the listener.

I have been fortunate to have had friends and teachers who have taught me a great deal. These days, my circle of friends includes many non-musicians who happen to love the sound of the piano. This collection is for them and the many others who, though "wowed" by technical display, really just want something beautiful for their lives.

As for more traditional background information, I am Kansas City native and earned my Bachelor's degree in piano at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and later studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where I earned Masters and Doctorate degrees also in piano performance.

Since joining the University of New Orleans faculty in 1990, I have been a frequent solo and chamber musician with many performances rebroadcast over New Orleans classical radio station, WWNO-89.9 FM. In Fall 2006, I became Chair of the Music Department.

In addition to teaching and performing, I maintain an active schedule as an adjudicator and for many years was on the Board of Directors of the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans which, among other things, hosts the New Orleans International Piano Competition each summer.

I live with husband, Dale and our two children. These days the familiar sounds in our home include Clayton playing the piano and Chloé the violin.