Bob Dawson ’75 Performs with The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields in New York City

This past October 14, pianist Bob Dawson ’75 was called by The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields to perform at the Century Association in New York City.

Reflecting on the experience, Dawson shared a meaningful connection to his time at NEC:

“In music history class with Daniel Pinkham, he often played music performed by The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. But I never thought I would ever play piano for them. It was an honor.”

In addition to his performing career, Dawson is the founder of Breaking the Rules, an innovative company dedicated to making classical music more accessible and engaging for modern audiences. The organization’s mission is “to positively impact and uplift modern American culture by providing adults with a language and tools for the greater understanding and enjoyment of classical music.”

Through Breaking the Rules, Dawson combines humor, movement, storytelling, and live performance to bring music to life. His presentations such as “Did Mozart Break Any Rules?” and “Translators of the Universe” illustrate how all music is interrelated and explore the deep connections between classical music and natural phenomena. His work has even garnered recognition from NASA scientists for its insightful approach to understanding music’s relationship with the forces of nature.

Congratulations to Bob on a stellar performance!