DIVA is a celebrated female singer; a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and by extension in theatre, cinema and popular music. Our Elegant Elder in the Arts this moon is truly a Diva in the greatest sense of the word. Susanna Robinson’s voice has enchanted the Greenbrier Valley and Beyond for many happy dances and solemn occasions. She is a chanteuse, a visual artist, writer, teacher, musician vocalist and conjurer of magical musical moments.

In an extensive interview with Susanna she named upwards to 20 musical groups she has played with since the ‘70’s. She also named Billy Holliday, Diana Krall, and Kathy McDondald as Divas she admires. In her own words;

“ Musically, I’m all over the place, but I guess my earliest beginnings were from my mom singing the Andrews Sisters’ “Lay That Pistol Down, Babe” as my lullabye. I didn’t have a chance!!!

Lately, I’ve been playing with more a variety of musicians, and not just the jazz guys, and it’s been really satisfying. I have to sing the praises of Mike Clark, who I’ve been singing with for a while now. He’s a great singer, brilliant guitarist, and an incredible song-writer.

We are trying to put something together with some Pocahontas County folks, doing lush four-part harmony on (mostly) original songs. I’m happy to say that I’m feeling true bliss with this situation, and I’m happy to be playing the accordion a lot more.

I’m also teaching three days a week for Warner Music School in Lewisburg. I’m doing voice and beginning piano, private lessons, all ages, and I really love it. I do both the Lewisburg and Covington locations.

There’s no comparison when it comes to listening and supporting LIVE music in your town. It’s hard to make a living as a musician alone (almost all of us have other jobs, too), so I encourage people to support the venues that support the musicians. Give a little to that tip jar, tell your friends to hear the bands you like, and keep it all alive. “

Over her long and illustrious careers in arts in the Greenbrier Valley she has also made costumes for Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Trillium, and many others privately and for the community.

Susanna is also a talented writer and has written for Hashtag Lewisburg City Paper, Graffiti and other local publications. Many know her as a familiar and colorful presence on Washington Street for many years with her beloved big black dogs.

On that note we will end with one last note from our celebrated local Diva, Susanna Robinson: “I think I’ve sung the Beatles “In My Life” at more weddings and funerals than I ever dreamed possible.”

– Diana Hunt. HashtagWV #106. October 2018.