Robert Carlson

Originally from central Virginia, Robert Brooks Carlson is an emerging artist committed to interpersonal and community engagement through solo and collaborative performance. Many of his performances take aim at issues outside the concert hall, focusing on topics such as racial or gender inequity and mental health awareness. He has performed in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and throughout the United States. Previous notable engagements have included those with the James Madison University Wind Symphony and, as soloist, the Rapidan Orchestra. Recently, Carlson completed fellowships at Art of the Piano, PianoFest in the Hamptons, the Gilmore Festival, and Music Academy of the West.

He has won numerous awards in recent years, including a special prize at the 2022 Seattle International Piano Competition and second prize in the 2021 National Federation of Music Clubs’ Young Artist Competition.

A devoted collaborator, he proudly served as the collaborative artist for Hear Us Hear Them, a Cincinnati-based choir whose mission is to highlight works by underrepresented and marginalized composers, during its 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons. As a chamber musician,

Carlson has received extensive coaching with acclaimed violinist Kristin Lee and also with members of the Ariel, Aizuri, and Miami String Quartets. He now studies with the internationally acclaimed pianist Soyeon Kate Lee. Carlson received his bachelor of music degree from James Madison University, with Paulo Steinberg.

Robert Carlson’s fellowship is generously sponsored by Earll and Rena Murman.