Robin's Nest, Moorhead's tiniest music academy, helps hatch confidence in its students

MOORHEAD — If the Guiness Book of World Records tracks such a thing, Robin Allebach might own the smallest music academy in the country. Not only because Allebach is the sole vocal instructor and piano teacher, but because she conducts her Robin s Nest Music Academy out of her small home at 217 16th St. N., Moorhead. Did we say small? That doesn t quite capture it. It s Lilliputian. Tiny. Bigger than a breadbox — barely. Yet Allebach, a creative bundle of fluffy blonde hair, bedazzled cat-eye glasses and lilting voice, has made this petite 324-square-foot space work. She s found a way to fit a baby grand piano here, a floor-to-ceiling rack of music books and assorted instruments like her high school guitar, a red toy xylophone from the 1930s and two antique autoharps. All rummage sale finds, of course, she says. These are intermingled with all of Allebach s other favorite things: antique prints, Persian rugs, multi-colored scarves, a pile of blingy