In Orlando, Rob Fessock, professionally known as Rob Fess, is transforming personal pain into powerful music that resonates far beyond himself. A self-taught pianist, his deeply emotional compositions are shaped by a life of service, resilience, and personal transformation. Raised in South Plainfield, Rob graduated from South Plainfield High School before attending Towson University, where he joined ROTC. Searching for direction early on, he found purpose through military discipline, later continuing at Loyola College and graduating in 1998 as a Second Lieutenant.

In 2001, Rob began his career as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. His commitment to service led him overseas, deploying to Iraq with the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and later to Afghanistan in 2011 with the 29th Infantry Division, where he served as an adviser to the Kabul City Police. While his service was honorable, the emotional toll of these experiences followed him home, making the transition back to everyday life increasingly difficult and eventually leading to his retirement after time spent in a Warrior Transition Unit.

During one of the most challenging periods of his life, a simple yet meaningful gift from his brother, a digital piano, became the turning point. With no formal training and unable to read sheet music, Rob taught himself to play by ear, turning raw emotion into music. What began as a personal coping mechanism quickly became a powerful form of therapy, allowing him to process trauma and regain a sense of balance. His passion soon extended beyond himself, as he began sharing his music with others, including patients at Nemours Children's Hospital, where his performances bring comfort, joy, and emotional relief to children and their families.

Today, performing as Rob Fess, he continues to share his gift in VA hospitals, hotels, and intimate venues, with plans to tour some of the world’s most beautiful churches. He also delivered a standout performance at the Toby Keith Patriot Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Catch a Lift Fund. His journey reflects a powerful evolution, from serving in uniform to serving through music, using his artistry to inspire healing, connection, and hope for veterans, children, and anyone facing mental health challenges.