by Kent Kimes

Robin Spielberg was well aware of the cathartic powers harnessed within music.

But the professional pianist, who performs tonight at Brunswick Community College's Odell Williamson Auditorium, was unaware music could be used as a formal method of therapy.

That is, however, until her daughter was born prematurely and music therapy was used as the underweight infant was nursed to better health. As part of the treatment, lullabies were played beside the baby's incubator.

``Her vital signs increased,'' said Spielberg in a recent phone conversation from her New Jersey office. ``It was a very interesting response. I couldn't understand it.''

So she began doing research about music therapy.

``I just gobbled it up,'' she said.

Fast forward and she's serving her second term as an official spokesperson for the American Music Therapy Association.

When she's not speaking on behalf of the organization, she's performing her music, which is a blend of classical, Broadway and pop conventions some have tagged as New Age.

``New Age tends to put people off,'' said Spielberg, who recently released a compilation CD celebrating her first decade as a recording artist. ``Some people call it `contemporary instrumental.' I don't care what you call it!''

Spielberg is one of the top solo pianists of the genre, whatever you want to call it, and is comparable to artists Jim Brickman and David Lanz.

``[She's] right at the top, and most of the other pianists of the genre agree with me. Robin is a consummate artist,'' said Kathy Parsons, a performer, piano instructor and reviewer for Solo Piano Publications.

Parsons has seen Spielberg perform and said her concerts are riveting.

``She is an amazingly expressive pianist, and her stories of how the pieces came into being are nothing short of inspiring,'' Parsons said. ``She seemed to have the whole audience in the palm! of her hand.''

Copyright (c) 2004 The Sun News