Robin Spielberg brings to Naperville a "book release concert" called "Naked on the Bench: My Adventures in Pianoland" - by Natalia Dagenhart

Each day brings us a surprise. For me, it was finding out about a great woman, a very deep and sincere person, and an extremely talented pianist Robin Spielberg. She went through a lot of challenges on her way to becoming a successful pianist, composer, concert/recording artist and spokesperson, and now she is touring with her musical memoir called “Naked on the Bench: My Adventures in Pianoland.” This 2014 Gold Medal Winner presentation will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, at Madden Theater of North Central College in Naperville and promises to create unforgettable memories in every heart.

Of course, success is always related to perseverance, strong character and hard work. Robin Spielberg definitely has all these features that she keeps developing every day of her life. However, for me this woman is more than that. While getting ready to writing this article, I did research on Robin Spielberg and found a lot of interesting and touching information. I want to share it with you and want you to view Robin not only as a successful performer and musician, but first of all as a person with a deep, caring and warm soul.

During her presentation called “The healing power of music” that I found online, Robin shared that she performs not only at the spectacular concert halls in front of big audiences, but also frequently stops by nursing homes and plays piano in front of the elderly.

One time she gave a piano concert at the nursing home where the audience looked very quiet and didn’t give her any applause or strong reaction to her performance. She kept playing and then just wanted to leave that place fast. However, when she was leaving, one of the nurses ran after her and told her thank you for all the connections she made. The nurse told her that Robin made one man who hadn’t been speaking for six months to sing along with one of the songs that she was playing. He lost his wife and after that completely withdrew from any communication. That song was his wedding song and brought him back to life. Robin considered it to be the biggest success of her life. She recognized the power of music and that music can heal. Her love to the piano grew into love to all things music can do.

After learning this story, I looked at Robin Spielberg with different eyes and listened to her music with different feelings. Over the years, this woman grew not only professionally, but also spiritually. She doesn’t play piano to just impress an audience with her piano techniques and skills (which she definitely possesses), but she also puts everything through her heart and shares her soul warmth through every touch of a piano key. “Music can open pathways to healing that I never knew were possible,” noticed Robin.

Her memoir about her successful pianist career is full of humor, passion and great detail, and after learning more about Robin Spielberg I keep in mind that this woman is not just strong, persistent, hard-working and talented, but also kind, caring and sincere. Being funny, full of energy, laughter and jokes is just another side of Robin Spielberg’s rich and outgoing personality that is going to be fully presented in her musical memoir “Naked on the Bench: My Adventures in Pianoland”. As it is mentioned on the Robin Spielberg’s website, this memoir “demystifies the process of building a concert career and tells what is unexpected in the life of a touring musician” and incorporates “hilarious excerpts from her book within the concert setting”.

This great presentation will take place in a format of a cabaret performance at the Madden Theatre at North Central College in Naperville. In an intimate and cozy environment the audience will have a chance to enjoy Robin Spielberg’s emotional and entertaining presentation while sipping on adult beverages which will be available for sale in the lobby.

If you choose to attend this unforgettable performance, please note that the concert will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, in the College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center that is located at 171 East Chicago Avenue in Naperville. Tickets are reasonably priced for just $30 and $35. Please, call the North Central College Box Office 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Come to this concert and experience a warm touch of Robin Spielberg’s soul, enjoy her sensitive piano techniques, and learn about her unforgettable experience as a touring musician who gives people happiness with every sound of her music.

Natalia Dagenhart