W&L Presents Senior Recital Featuring Robert Masi ’21 On May 15, Robert Masi ’21 will perform solo piano masterworks by Chopin, Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Ravel and Bloch.

By Erica Turman
April 20, 2021

Robert Masi ’21, a senior at Washington and Lee University, will perform a piano recital featuring solo piano masterworks such as Chopin’s “Polonaise in A-flat Major Heroique, Op. 53,” Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 21 Waldstein” and works by J.S. Bach, Maurice Ravel and Ernest Bloch on May 15 at 8 p.m.

The performance will be streamed online for free at https://livestream.com/wlu.

Masi, a music major with a performance concentration, studies under Shuko Watanabe, instructor of music at W&L. He was also a student of retired professor Timothy Gaylard for three years.

Masi cites Gaylard as his most vital mentor while at W&L.

“He so seamlessly imbued all his students and me with a desire to dig deeper into music, to listen more closely, to reflect on composers’ lives, and to think critically about musical choices and play with intention,” Masi said. “His passion naturally manifested itself in his pupils as curiosity and drive. Not only that, he unfailingly encouraged me to pursue my other interests and be a well-rounded student. Our piano lessons were not only a time to practice music, but also a means to grow as learners.”

Masi is in his second year as a member of the University Jazz Ensemble and has been the pianist for chamber ensembles for four years under the direction of Jaime McArdle, lecturer in music.

This year, Masi helped establish W&L’s first-ever jazz quartet, which recently performed alongside the University Jazz Ensemble under the guidance of music professor Terry Vosbein.

Masi has also been featured as a soloist with the University Orchestra, performing Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor” in 2019.

Outside of his musical endeavors, Masi is on the pre-medical academic track. He has conducted biochemistry research on liver disease for three years with Kyle Friend, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. He also helps lead trips with W&L peers to remote area medical clinics to provide free health care for underserved populations.

Following graduation, Masi will work at the National Institutes of Health for two years researching cancer immunotherapies, and he plans to apply to medical school.