Biography

Robert has been playing music since the age of eight. With his accordion, under the tuition of Keith Dickson, Robert has achieved competition success both as an individual and with other musicians with notable wins including the UK Scottish Accordion Championship (twice), the UK Advanced Classical Duet Championship, the Open Band Section in Oban, the Bill Sharp Scholarship, the Highlands and Islands Accordion Masters Title and, last year, was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year. In addition, Robert has also achieved considerable competition success playing both piano and fiddle.

As former member of the band Koda, Robert has performed with them on three consecutive occasions at ‘T’ in the Park. Other highlights with KODA include touring Germany, performing in front of HRH the Earl of Wessex as part of the 50th Birthday celebrations of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and recording KODA’s award winning album “Alternative Frequency”.

With his own band, Reel Rhythm, Robert has performed regularly at festivals and events locally, nationally and internationally. Over the past few years they have travelled to China, Belgium and Syria to accompany the Thornhill Scottish Country Dancers.

Robert's musical taste is eclectic and he enjoys performing a variety of styles. In addition to Traditional Music, he has a particular interest in musical theatre. His influences in Traditional Music are wide and include Sandy Brechin, The Unusual Suspects, Blazin’ Fiddles, Natalie McMaster and Phil Cunningham.