Who is Josh Robinson?

Josh Robinson grew up around the music business and began playing pots, pans, and eventually drums in the basement in his hometown of Woodstock NY. He is currently a member of "Alo Brasil", a 14 piece Philadelphia based Samba group, and “ The Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra” a group that blends drumming traditions from Cuba, Brazil, Africa, and India. Since 2002 he has worked with a variety of populations of children and adults as a teaching artist facilitating workshops, residencies, professional development, school assemblies, and after school programs where he uses percussion as a tool for teaching aspects of communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, discipline, and cultural awareness through music and instrument

making. He is affiliated with many arts organizations and partner organizations for his work with grieving children including T.A.P.S. - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, The Moyer Foundation, and NAGC - National Alliance For Grieving Children.

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ARTIST STATEMENT
 

"Drumming can be used as a tool to teach an array of life skills. It provides a positive and creative outlet for young people to express themselves and release their emotions in a safe space. I often refer to the drum as my “trash truck” and “most reliable friend” where I can release or dump out emotions and energy created from the many challenges life presents. The drum is a place where I can escape into a world where the limitations of words aren’t present, and I can feel more than think about what I want to say.

I try to give my students tools to use the drum as an option for coping; for taking out their trash. I tell students quite simply from my own experience that there are only so many things you can hit and produce a positive result. As a child of an addict myself, I heal through helping others and can speak about choices I have made given the hand I was dealt. You either have the perfect excuse, or fuel for a fire to burn that blueprint and write your own story.

As someone who didn’t grow up with a lot, it’s important for me to show students how accessible the drum can be by showing them how to make instruments themselves or use found objects depending on their resources to continue the work we started.

The drum also teaches critical teamwork skills. Playing in a group requires focus, discipline, respect, and accountability to yourself and others to execute for the greater good of the group. It also requires vulnerability and trust, which may lie safely protected behind one’s armor. It’s a place where the shy become leaders and where the soft-spoken become out-spoken. The drum also forces grown-ups to really HEAR children.

I am grateful for the opportunity to live my passion and help others along the way. The work we are doing here together (and I mean the whole village) is changing lives, saving lives, and empowering kids who are dealing with challenges they inherited. We can’t always give them answers, but we can give them love, hope, and tools to rise above their circumstances and become the best versions of themselves they can be."