ROBERT VAN HORNE
Pianist / Composer / Recording Artist
PROFILE
Robert Van Horne is an experienced and talented pianist who has delighted audiences with his friendly personality and his extensive repertoire of music. A list of selections include his unique compositions, traditional classical works and current and favorite popular tunes many of which he has updated with creative arrangements. His greatest asset is his natural ability to entertain audiences with a mixture of relaxing, romantic, and upbeat music stylessuch as Phantom Of The Opera, Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag.
EDUCATION
A native of Pennsylvania, Robert Van Horne began piano studies at the age of seven. He studied classical music at the Philadelphia Musical Academy, graduating with degrees in piano and education. Robert continued his musical education by concentrating on popular and jazz styles with extensive study in composing and improvisation. One of the most influential teachers during his musical training is the well-known jazz pianist/composer George Shearing.
EXPERIENCE
During the years that followed, 1982 to 1985, Robert had the opportunity to perform on the S.S. NORWAY and the M.S. PEARL OF SCANDINAVIA cruise ships as a pianist. With his easy listening piano and personable social dialogue with passengers, he was given an excellent rating and asked to renew his contracts with the cruise lines.
Robert has performed on TV and radio, as well as in concerts for audiences both in the U.S. and Asia. During 1985 to 1988, while living in Singapore, he was featured as guest soloist with several orchestras performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. He also recorded many of the popular Chinese songs for EMI Records.
Today, Robert regularly performs benefit concerts with his unique style of bringing humor and fun to his audiences as well as encouraging their participation during the program.
CREDITS
In 1994, he created WPI Records, an independent record company for production and distribution of his recordings. He has released five piano CD albums: PIANO AND MEMORIES, CHINA LOVE, MOONLIGHT PIANO, RHAPSODY/TIMELESS FAVORITES, and EMBRACED BY A DREAM, all of which feature many popular and classical songs as well as original compositions. In 1998, Warner Brothers Publication published his CHINA LOVE compositions in a piano book available worldwide. Recently, he completed work on his first concerto for piano and orchestra.
Robert is a member of ASCAP and MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California) and a winner of the Composer Today Award. He presently lives in Northern California.
