Originally from the Washington, DC area, Dorothy Robson has lived in Hancock, Vermont since 1971. Initially teaching K-12 public school music, she later branched out into private piano teaching, leading adult singing groups, and immersing herself in community theater. Dorothy and her husband, Dick, were founding directors of the Rochester-based White River Valley Players. Since 1979 she’s been music director, pianist, and composer for many musical productions, including the original shows Second Chance (2000) and Ransom (2010.) She has also composed for WRVP’s productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Cherry Orchard and Alice in Wonderland.

Dorothy was always interested in piano improvisation and music composition, receiving a BS in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. In the early ‘90s she studied composition with Jim Grant at Middlebury College. During this time she wrote Scenes for Clarinet and Piano, which was recently performed in recital by Steven Klimowski and Sadie Brightman.

Dorothy’s interest in writing poetry-inspired music began four years ago when she collaborated with Bethel poet Danny Dover. Their PoetryPlus, was well-received by audiences at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph and the Unitarian Church in Montpelier during National Poetry Month.  She has enjoyed being inspired by the poetry of Kerrin McCadden and writing new music for these VCME concerts.