bio

Robert Humber (he/him) is a Newfoundland-based composer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He has written and performed music for concert halls, films, dance, installations and more. Recently, his piece for five violins, “into air,” was awarded 1st prize in the 2024 SOCAN Young Composer Award (Chamber Ensemble). His 2024 CMC Emerging Composer Prize-winning piece “warmth comes” was premiered by Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, officially opening the Winnipeg New Music Festival. A growing interest in the intersection between music and dance has led to such collaborations as to unwind a sea shell, a 25-minute piece for dancer, piano and tape made in collaboration with dancer Hilary Knee and pianist Stephen Eckert, premiered during 2024 NL Sound Symposium. His debut experimental/ambient album “threnody for rocking chair” is set to release through People Places Records in late April 2025. The project was originally premiered in Corner Brook, NL to accompany a dance installation made by Candice Pike. In 2025 he is working on a ballet commission from Kittiwake Dance Company as well as a new 30-minute piano/electronics/dance piece in collaboration with Stephen Eckert and Hilary Knee. Other recent projects include “some chords for angel island,” a commission from Calgary’s Astralis Quartet, and “elegy half erased,” a commission from London, England’s Greenwich Trio. In summer 2025, the Tuckamore Alumni Trio will tour his 2019 piano trio “riverspeak” around several small communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Under the moniker “R Sheaves,” Robert is set to release his debut alternative folk/rock album “MARY SPINS” on March 14, 2025 via Milltown Records. He wrote, recorded and mixed the album himself over a two-year period, layering voices, woodwinds, guitars, accordions, strings and singing saws under softly sung lyrics chronicling the loss and discovery of faith, doubt, grief and beauty. Along with band members Jessica Pereversoff, Scott Sheppard and Steve Gill, he is building a live show to perform R Sheaves material around the province.

Robert graduated with a Master's Degree in Music Composition at University of British Columbia where he studied with Jocelyn Morlock, Stephen Chatman, Dorothy Chang and Keith Hamel. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Composition at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he studied with Andrew Staniland and Clark Ross.