Pianist, accompanist known throughout Arlington Heights

A celebration of life will be held June 2 for a longtime Arlington Heights piano teacher and accompanist.

Robin Kramer mentored music students and choirs across Arlington Heights, typically from her perch on the piano bench. She died April 11 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Kramer was 61.

"Robin was a true force of good," says her friend, Alice Brown, director of corporate communications for Northwest Community Healthcare, where two years ago, Kramer started accompanying the NCH Chorus.

It was the latest in a long line of gigs. Groups she accompanied included the New Beginnings Chorus, an all-women's ensemble in Arlington Heights; the contemporary choir at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights and the Joint Commission choir in Oakbrook Terrace. She also was a part-time music teacher at Village Pre-School.

Kramer came from an artistic family. Her grandmother, Betty Zane, was a child piano prodigy, and her grandfather, William T. Zane, was an opera singer. Her mother, Barbara Zane, and her aunt, Margaret Zane, were both accomplished painters.

"Her earliest memories were lying under a grand piano, listening to her Grandma Betty play Chopin," says her daughter, Nora Kramer.

Robin Kramer got a bachelor's degree in piano pedagogy from Western Illinois University, but she had been teaching piano since she was 18. During her career, she accompanied choirs at Thomas and South middle schools. Musicians at St. James School and Hersey High School knew her as their trusted accompanist at annual solo competitions.

"Robin was a remarkable accompanist and mentored our soloists with compassion, amazing musicianship," says Mary McDermott, St. James band director. "She helped the kids to play with great confidence in their final performance and was dedicated to bringing out the best in all students."

Kramer was the music director for the first five years of the Setting the Stage Children's Theater Workshop in Arlington Heights. In recognition, theater directors held a fundraiser at a recent performance to help establish a scholarship in Kramer's name.

"She taught the children vocals with kindness and patience," co-founder Alex DeTogne says. "She loved children and was endlessly amused by their antics.

"Robin was a peaceful person until she began to perform," DeTogne adds. "Then the room was filled with her special brand of music - her effortless energy and joy."

That special brand of music drove the jazz quartet Meredith Carlton Kramer & Janz, which she co-founded in 1982. Kramer was the lyricist, composer, lead vocalist and keyboardist for the group, whose more than 70 live music videos can be found on YouTube.

Grounding Kramer's musical career were the piano lessons she taught in her Arlington Heights home for more than 40 years. According to family members, her students ranged in age from 3 to 85. Most recently she was president of the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers' Association.

Besides her daughter, Kramer is survived by her husband, Will, and son, Zachary. A celebration of her life will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 2, at The Church of the Incarnation, 330 W. Golf Road, Arlington Heights.