Robert Baird is a church musician, educator, organist, pianist, composer, and nonprofit leader whose work spans sacred music, classical performance, and institutional leadership. Through his work in performance, education, and organizational leadership, he is committed to building musical communities rooted in artistic excellence, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Robert serves as Dean of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (2026–2027), where he provides leadership for one of the nation's most prominent AGO chapters. As Dean, he oversees chapter governance, strategic planning, financial stewardship, educational programming, and member engagement while advancing the chapter's mission to foster excellence in organ and choral music throughout the nation's capital. He has been an active member of the American Guild of Organists since 2017 and previously served on the board of the Richmond Chapter (2022–2024).

He is also Director of Music and Organist at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. Founded in 1859 through the merger of historic Washington congregations, NYAPC has long occupied a visible place in the civic and religious life of the nation's capital. President Abraham Lincoln worshiped there regularly, and his pew remains preserved in the sanctuary. The church was later home to Rev. Peter Marshall, the influential Senate Chaplain whose ministry inspired the classic film A Man Called Peter. Today, NYAPC continues its ministry through worship, music, public witness, and national observance. In this role, Robert directs the church’s comprehensive music program, including the leadership of choral ensembles, worship planning, and the preparation and conducting of a broad sacred repertoire.

As a performer, Robert is active as a recital organist, pianist, and collaborative artist, appearing in worship, concert, educational, and civic settings throughout the United States. His musical interests span the Baroque and French Romantic organ traditions, twentieth-century repertoire, jazz, and improvisation, alongside collaborative piano work with vocalists, instrumentalists, choirs, and conductors in both sacred and concert settings. He is equally committed to engaging audiences through lectures, workshops, and educational presentations that explore the rich traditions of organ, sacred music, choral conducting, and improvisatory practice.

As an educator and composer, Robert has maintained a private teaching studio for more than a decade, working with students, faculty, and professional musicians across the United States and abroad. His published compositions include works for organ, piano, voice, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestra, reflecting a musical voice rooted in tradition while engaging contemporary performers and congregations.

Previously, Robert served as Director of Music and Organist at Saint James' Episcopal Church in Warrenton, Virginia, where he led a comprehensive music ministry, directed choral ensembles, and conducted major works including Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ, Handel's Messiah, Fauré's Requiem, and Mozart's Requiem. He also served as Organist and Assistant Director of Traditional Worship at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a congregation with a distinguished musical tradition. The church is notably the home congregation where internationally acclaimed concert organist Ray Chenault received his early musical training under longtime Organist and Choirmaster Harold Abmyer, whose influence helped shape generations of church musicians.

In addition to his musical career, Robert brings extensive experience in financial management, having worked in government contracting, real estate development, and nonprofit finance. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, where he supports financial stewardship, governance, and long-range organizational planning.

Robert earned the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Dr. John Walker. He was awarded the Richard Ross Memorial Organ Scholarship on two occasions and received the Howard Reid Hayden Memorial Organ Scholarship (2024–2025). He holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and Piano Performance from Virginia Tech.