Dr. Bob Strain holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from Shepherd University, and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from Shenandoah Conservatory, where he was on the piano faculty for 10 years. Before calling Asheville home, where he is active as a performer and educator, Bob performed extensively in the Washington, DC region, in solo and collaborative recitals as well as in long-term solo engagements at venues such as the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, the Gaylord National Hotel at National Harbor, MD, and the Bavarian Inn of Shepherdstown, WV. He also has worked at various times in DC-region big bands and jazz trios. Bob has served as pianist and music director for productions at the Contemporary American Theater Festival.  He is proud to be the piano faculty at Warren Wilson College.