Robin Fay Massie is gentle and vulnerable, but oh-so strong and passionate. My “homeland sister” shares my Jamaican roots, but my affinity for Robin has much more to do with who she is than her ancestry.

I met her playing in the Philadelphia-based Black Pearl Orchestra. She introduced herself with a smile that immediately let me know this was a person who radiated warmth and light. Later, via Facebook, I discovered that she was the driving force behind Musicians of Mercy, a collective of DC area performers who come together to raise money for charity. Facebook also gave me a window into how very busy this conservatory-trained violist is. Yet, she seems to always have time to lovingly respond to comments or create revealing, sensitive posts that speak directly to the heart.