Singer, actor, producer, arranger…Wayne Robinson’s passion for, and talent in the performing arts arena sprung forth at a young age, setting him on the trajectory for his lifelong and selfless dedication to the entertaining of audiences throughout the Peterborough region.
Gifted as a youth, Robinson took lessons in voice, piano and theory. His involvement as a member of the All Saints’ Church choir provided a basis for his musical prowess at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School where he played saxophone for the high school’s multi-awarded jazz band, not to mention his portrayal as the lead character in a production of ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.’
Upon graduation, Robinson studied voice at McGill University in Montreal, and fully immersed himself in a number of cultural undertakings, including time as a member of the Tudor Singers of Montreal, a professional choir recorded by the CBC. He was also a member of the acapella quartet Sur Glace featured on CTV, had a restaurant gig singing French and English songs, and portrayed a German officer in the feature film drama A Man Called Intrepid.
Upon returning home to Peterborough, Robinson didn’t slow down, performing in a number of Peterborough Theatre Guild musicals. In 1996, he helped emcee the opening of the Showplace Performance Centre and, from 1998 to 2003, he performed songs for each installment of the popular Spring Tonic series held at the downtown venue.
Add to this impressive list Robinson’s work as a vocal coach, his portrayal of Frank Sinatra in Beth McMaster’s musical biography of the famed crooner, his singing with the Peterborough Concert Band and the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, and stints as a back-up singer for Paul Anka and Kenny Rogers.
Since 2016, Robinson has presented the award named after his late brother Kenny, and bestowed annually to a member of the All Saints’ Church choir.
As a clear sign of the deep respect he has rightly earned as a singer, and as a patron of the arts, Robinson was asked by the late Erica Cherney’s family to sing ‘My Way’ at the 2016 dedication of the Erica Cherney Theatre at Showplace.
At present, Robinson continues to share his gift for singing as a member of the Peterborough Singers, but is always ready and willing to lend his talents to elevate a worthy cause.