Assistant Professor, University of Illinois
Chair, Sacred in Opera Initiative, National Opera Association
Conductor/Head of Collaborative Piano, Bay View Music Festival
Korean adoptee, Casey Robards is a music director, pianist and vocal coach known for her sensitive musicality, stylistic versatility, and expert collaboration. She has concertized throughout the United States, Europe, Central and South America and Asia. Recent CDs with Sara Fraker, John Dee, Bernard Scully, and Fangye Sun celebrate ecomusicology and newly composed music.
Recent music directing projects include “Three Decembers”, “The Gift”, “Die Zauberflaute”, “La Boheme”, “La Traviata”, “Carmen” and the Afro-surrealist “Water Riot in Beta: A Cyberpunk Rock Opera” created by Derek McPhatter for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
A sought after recital partner and vocal coach, Robards’ 2022-23 programs with Ollie Watts Davis, LaToya Lain and Karen Slack around the U.S. as well as the Carnegie Hall debut of emerging baritone, Ethan Neal, promote justice and historical understanding through spirituals and art song of Black composers. Robards was a coach/pianist for Santa Fe Opera’s production of “This Little Light of Mine”, spotlight on Fannie Lou Hamer.
Dr. Robards is Asst. Professor (Vocal Coaching and Accompanying), University of Illinois. Professional memberships include IKCAS, NATS, Maestra, MUSE, and NOA (Chair, Sacred in Opera Initiative). She was a recipient of the Henri Kohn award at Tanglewood.