On Friday, Sept. 25, Dr. W. Dwayne Robertson, “Dr. Rob,” took second place as silver medalist in the instrumental solo division of the North Carolina SilverArts state finals at McKimmon Center in Raleigh.

A subdivision of the North Carolina Senior Games, the SilverArts promotes artistic achievement and performance of North Carolina seniors. The two-day series of arts events concludes with an evening show of the performing arts in which participants 50 years of age or older compete in individual and group categories of drama, dance, vocal and instrumental performance.

According to the competition’s score sheet, judges rate performances based on technique (difficulty), creativity (originality), execution (skill) and presentation (showmanship).

Robertson was narrowly ousted from first place as judges voted in favor of saxophonist Ronald Scott. As required by competition guidelines, Robertson performed the same act which saw him take the gold in the county competition back in March, an original medley he arranged as a tribute to Elton John.

The act features Robertson singing and playing three Elton John songs on the piano. He re-creates some signature Elton John moves such as lying on the floor while playing the piano and playing the piano with his right foot. According to the rules, an act surpassing three minutes in length results in automatic disqualification, and Robertson’s performance came in at 2 minutes, 18 seconds.

Having performed in many U.S. states and in venues such as the Biltmore House and the Governor’s Mansion, Robertson retired from Rowan-Salisbury Schools in 2013. He is musical specialist at Salisbury Academy, where he also directs the Salisbury Music Conservatory, offering private lessons.

Also the music director at Grace Lower Stone Church outside of Rockwell, Robertson is married to Dana, an educator at Morgan Elementary School, and they have four daughters and a granddaughter.