Robert Levy's musical life has crossed diverse avenues and boundaries and created a vibrant, fulfilling, and rewarding life. In some respects, like Gunther Schuller, a man he so admired, Levy never could focus on a singular musical avenue of pursuit, "It was simply a fascination with a multitude of musical directions which led me to explore many paths,
while composing came relatively late in life."

As a trumpet performer, conductor, teacher, composer, and recording artist, Robert Levy's influence has been felt throughout the United States and beyond. His more than fifty recordings on ten labels are a testament to his work. He has been at the forefront of contemporary music, premiering more than one hundred works, many written expressly for him. His commitment to music and American composers led to the publication and worldwide performance of many of these works. In his academic career, he made it a mission to bring American composers to campus, where students met, performed, and often recorded their music. These included Alec Wilder, Gunther Schuller, Warren Benson, Paul Creston, Donald Erb, Walter Hartley, Samuel Adler, Dina Koston, Rodney Rogers, Paul Turok, Allan Blank, William Russo, and Eric Ewazen.

Robert Levy's influence extends beyond his performances. His nearly forty-year teaching career as a college professor, creator of an award-winning summer music festival, jazz artist, big band leader, recording artist, and composer has brought him in contact with thousands of students and musicians. He has led a parallel life as an educator and performer, traveling worldwide and often with some of this country's foremost musicians. His college teaching experience includes two years at Henderson Univ., Arkansas; eight years at St. Mary's College of Maryland; twenty- five years at Lawrence University; and one year as a Visiting professor and guest conductor at the Univ. of Wisconsin (Madison), where he conducted the wind ensemble and was Artistic Director for the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble.

A native of Freeport, NY, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and later earned degrees from Ithaca College and the University of North Texas. He pursued further graduate study at the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Iowa Brass Quintet faculty ensemble.