Robin Sisk
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium
My teaching philosophy centers around the idea that one's ability to grow toward their potential stems from a strong foundation. Through building a mastery of fundamental skills on their instrument, disciplined practice, collaboration, and learning the importance of having a will to always strive forward with integrity and humanity, Stetson tuba and euphonium students will have an academic experience that sets them up for success as a well-rounded musician and person.
- DMA in Music Performance - The Hartt School, University of Hartford
- MM in Tuba Performance - University of South Florida
- BM in Music Education - West Virginia University
Biography
Professor Robin Sisk enjoys a career as both a deeply experienced educator and as one of the most active and versatile freelance tubists in the southeastern United States.
She currently serves as Principal Tuba of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, and the Gainesville Orchestra, is band leader for the Beads & Brass Band (as seen as Universal Studios Mardi Gras), and is a musician for Walt Disney World where she plays with the Epcot Candlelight Orchestra and is a substitute for the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Philharmonic. Upon her appointment to the Main Street Philharmonic in 2014, Robin became the first woman to be cast in a professional tuba role at Walt Disney World.
Equally at home in theme parks, studios, the chamber stage, and the concert hall, Robin has performed with a wide array of organizations and ensembles, most notably The Florida Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic, at major theme parks and entertainment venues, brass quintets, Band Bajha Brass (North America’s first Bollywood and Bhangra Baraat band), multiple Florida-based rock, folk, and metal bands, and many more. She is also a musician, stilt walker, and Senior Vice President of Operations for Villa Creative Entertainment, where she was also a proud founding member of Fleur de Beat – the country’s first professional stilt-walking band.
Robin grew up playing in the River City Youth Brass Band and would remain an avid British-style brass band enthusiast. She has previously served as Principal Tuba of the world-renowned Brass Band of Central Florida and of the New England Brass Band, toured with the Natural State Brass Band, and is a member of the Athena Brass Band.
Notable recording credits include Sing Sang Sung, Ominium Gatherum, and 15 with the Brass Band of Central Florida (all recorded in the UK), Raw Earth: New Music for Wind Band with the Hartt Wind Ensemble, All Is Bright: A Choral Christmas with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, marching band demo recordings for Jalen Publishing, and national commercials and broadcasts for Disney Cruise Line, Universal Studios Florida, NBC Sports, and PBS. Over the years, Dr. Sisk has commissioned several solo and chamber works for tuba, served as committee chair for the Harvey Phillips Award for New Chamber Music, performed at numerous regional and international conferences, and is a two-time semifinalist for the ITEA Quartet Competition.
Professor Sisk has enjoyed an equally broad and successful career as an educator, with her students having won or advanced in military and orchestral auditions, performed in major theme parks, and held teaching positions at both the K-12 and collegiate levels.
She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance from The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, a MM in Tuba Performance from the University of South Florida, and a BM in Music Education, Summa Cum Laude, from West Virginia University.
Upon graduation from WVU, she was named the College of Creative Arts “Most Outstanding Graduate.” Her primary teachers include Scott Mendoker, Jay Hunsberger, Dave McCollum, and Les Dean. Professor Robin is a proud native of Pittsburgh, PA, and now resides in the Orlando area.
Course Topics
- Applied Tuba and Euphonium
- Tuba Euphonium Ensemble Chamber Music