Student Aid: Robert Matthews

OUR

THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY OUR CONNECTING

2015 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

R

OBERT MATTHEWS is a pianist, singer, and choral conductor. He’s also a performer, student,

and teacher.

S TUD E N T A I D

ROBERT MATTHEWS

“I was at a place in my life to make a change, but it is hard to do. This scholarship is allowing me to make this mid-stream switch.”

A North Carolina native, Robert began playing piano at the age of 11. He received a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and music education and a master’s degree in music education from Appalachian State University. While at ASU, Robert spent a summer as a piano student at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France. With an eye toward teaching, he earned a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Robert taught high school for eight years at North Wilkes High and Greensboro Day School before becoming Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Emory & Henry College in Virginia for four years.

But piano remained his passion.

“All along, piano was the elephant in the room. I can conduct, but my heart was with piano,” he said. “I decided I needed to make it work.”

Robert moved to Winston-Salem with a clear goal to pursue a career as a professional pianist. He received a Samuel Griffin Seawell and Patsy Moore Seawell Memorial Scholarship in 2014 and 2015 to study with Barbara Lister-Sink, a renowned and innovative piano instructor at Salem College.

“When I learned about the scholarship, it seemed tailor-made for me,” said Robert.

Working with Lister-Sink, Robert is re-learning technique with the goal of playing increasingly complex music with greater ease and without injury.

Robert’s dedication to and enthusiasm for his new path is obvious as he talks about his classes and his fellow students, who have become like a family to him. He happily demonstrates how Lister-Sink’s approach has changed his technique and enhanced his talent. When he completes his professional certification in the

Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique, Robert will be prepared for the career he knows he was meant to pursue.

Financial support from the Foundation allows him to devote the many hours needed each week to classes and practice, while working part-time as Music Associate at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.

He teaches piano to a few young students as well.

“I was at a place in my life to make a change, but it is hard to do.

This scholarship is allowing me to make this mid-stream switch.”

Thinking about the Seawell scholarship, Robert reflected on the support he has had at key points to pursue his love of piano.

He noted that many people make a difference in our lives, whether they know it or not. They offer experiences, open doors, and give us courage.

“My teacher in middle school and high school, Mr. Israel, instilled this dream in me. Mrs. Seawell, the Foundation, and Barbara ListerSink are helping me to fulfill this dream. It’s a huge gift.”

ROBERT MATTHEWS received the Samuel Griffin Seawell and Patsy Moore Seawell Memorial Scholarship in 2014 and 2015.

Established in 2008, it provides a $5,000 award for students who will pursue post-graduate studies in music- or arts-related disciplines at institutes of higher learning in the Piedmont Triad. Robert is enrolled in the Professional Certificate Program in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College.

Left: Beth Fenimore and Robert Matthews

the winston-salem foundation annual report

OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTING

[18-19]

R

OBERT MATTHEWS is a pianist, singer, and choral conductor. He’s also a performer, student,

and teacher.

S TUD E N T A I D

ROBERT MATTHEWS

“I was at a place in my life to make a change, but it is hard to do. This scholarship is allowing me to make this mid-stream switch.”

A North Carolina native, Robert began playing piano at the age of 11. He received a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and music education and a master’s degree in music education from Appalachian State University. While at ASU, Robert spent a summer as a piano student at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France. With an eye toward teaching, he earned a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Robert taught high school for eight years at North Wilkes High and Greensboro Day School before becoming Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Emory & Henry College in Virginia for four years.

But piano remained his passion.

“All along, piano was the elephant in the room. I can conduct, but my heart was with piano,” he said. “I decided I needed to make it work.”

Robert moved to Winston-Salem with a clear goal to pursue a career as a professional pianist. He received a Samuel Griffin Seawell and Patsy Moore Seawell Memorial Scholarship in 2014 and 2015 to study with Barbara Lister-Sink, a renowned and innovative piano instructor at Salem College.

“When I learned about the scholarship, it seemed tailor-made for me,” said Robert.

Working with Lister-Sink, Robert is re-learning technique with the goal of playing increasingly complex music with greater ease and without injury.

Robert’s dedication to and enthusiasm for his new path is obvious as he talks about his classes and his fellow students, who have become like a family to him. He happily demonstrates how Lister-Sink’s approach has changed his technique and enhanced his talent. When he completes his professional certification in the

Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique, Robert will be prepared for the career he knows he was meant to pursue.

Financial support from the Foundation allows him to devote the many hours needed each week to classes and practice, while working part-time as Music Associate at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.

He teaches piano to a few young students as well.

“I was at a place in my life to make a change, but it is hard to do.

This scholarship is allowing me to make this mid-stream switch.”

Thinking about the Seawell scholarship, Robert reflected on the support he has had at key points to pursue his love of piano.

He noted that many people make a difference in our lives, whether they know it or not. They offer experiences, open doors, and give us courage.

“My teacher in middle school and high school, Mr. Israel, instilled this dream in me. Mrs. Seawell, the Foundation, and Barbara ListerSink are helping me to fulfill this dream. It’s a huge gift.”

ROBERT MATTHEWS received the Samuel Griffin Seawell and Patsy Moore Seawell Memorial Scholarship in 2014 and 2015.

Established in 2008, it provides a $5,000 award for students who will pursue post-graduate studies in music- or arts-related disciplines at institutes of higher learning in the Piedmont Triad. Robert is enrolled in the Professional Certificate Program in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College.

Left: Beth Fenimore and Robert Matthews

the winston-salem foundation annual report

OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTING

[18-19]