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Josh Robinson DrumsNourishing Inner Peace Through Hitting ThingsDrumming has helped me heal from loss, process challenges and express myself beyond the limits of words. Through drumming I have become a better person, husband and father. I am honored that I am able to use my skills, expertise and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people every year. Thank you for visiting my website. Click below on Services to learn about my Grief Work, Educational Programs, Musicianship and Professional Development Workshops.
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I am sending out love and hope to all of the communities around the country that I serve. I am using this time to reflect, grow, improve, and learn. I will be handing out NEW drum sticks to all participants when we get back to life as normal to eliminate the "sharing" of equipment. Stay strong and see you when it is safe to come out. Honored to be the inaugural Jefferson University Artist in Residence!! This position has been amazing so far! I am still teaching my Humanities elective to medical students (year 3) and also working in the hospital bringing music and creativity to cancer patients on the bone marrow transplant ward and out-patient chemotherapy department with a goal of improving connections between patient and staff. I'm honored to collaborate with the Jefferson team and look forward to more difference-making work together.
Just wrapped up year number 8 of "Percussion Studio" camp in partnership with Live Connections.org. Students learned self expression and creativity through drumming, drum building, poetry movement, and then recorded their "poem songs" and performed for family at the end. It's amazing how far you can travel in 5 days!! Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far to my "Drum Stick Drive" Gofundme campaign. I have been able to "gift" my personalized drum sticks to grieving children, children with cancer, at-risk youth, and I could use your support to reach my goal of free drum sticks to all of the kids I help throughout the year. Thanks and here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/1oj5e9b1mo?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=63bfb867cce44f94b032085882c6c3a1 I had a great time presenting for Jefferson's 3rd annual Trauma Training Conference last week. I led 2 workshops and a closing session with several hundred people connecting through rhythm!! Thank you compassionate Friends network for inviting me to present at your 2019 National Conference. It was an honor to share space with such resilient people. I just returned from an amazing year 4 at "Wings of Hope" family bereavement camp in Northern CA. There were heartbreaking stories, seeds of hope, emotional release, and of course thunderous drums!! I had the pleasure of delivering my interactive keynote for 500 attendees from the Camden County Family Services "Spirit Retreat Week." A room full of big-hearted givers and me!! Trip 1 (of 3 and counting) to California was amazing!! I got to work with 7th and 8th graders at The Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad leading interactive drumming workshops and a "Community Life" presentation speaking about my work and my unconventional path. Then it was on to year 4 at Camp Erin Orange County for grieving children to give a voice to kids and help them pay tribute through rhythm. Next stop Midland Michigan and then back to CA!! Onward!!! 2018 was an amazing year full of rhythm, connection, healing, and purpose!! Thank you to all of my communities in 15 states that brought my programs to you. 2019 is starting to shape up nicely already so get those inquiries in!! Much love to everyone and hope to see you on the road. Team-Building in Washington D.C. was a huge success working with NCQA. It was a honor to be a part of your event. I'm honored to be invited to deliver a Keynote speech for National Children's Grief Awareness Day on Thursday for "My Sisters Place" in NJ. I will be sharing my personal story of music and resilience in addition to stories from my work around the country working at bereavement camps. I just finished my last grief camp in Santa Cruz CA for the season which was a joyous and thunderous return after missing last year with Achilles surgery. 2019 Camps are booking up already and I'm happy to be home for a while. I had to turn down 10 camps in 2018 so get your inquiries over early if drums are in your plans! I had an amazing time presenting for the Penn Foundation's annual fundraiser. Kids from Camp Mariposa (kids living under the roof of addiction) performed for 700 attendees and then I led them all in an interactive rhythm experience and they all got drum sticks to keep! I'm very excited to be teaching my Humanities class year 2 at Jefferson University for first year Medical students. They added a 2nd class this semester so I have 50 students who are learning about navigating improvisational moments, self-care and stress relief through drumming, and the transformative power of music. I am honored to be participating in a project called "Tangles in Time" through Jefferson University working with dementia patients, students, a composer, and a theatre artist. We will present next September in Philadelphia. I'm home from a month on the road which included an amazing day of team-building at Buzzfeed headquarters in L.A.!!! The trip also included return visits Camp Erin Idaho and Orange County, and a family bereavement camp called "Wings of Hope" for year 2 with them. I'm now working locally for 2 weeks at Live Connections "Percussion Studio" where we will use percussion, movement, poetry, and a recording session to help kids tell their stories and express themselves through these powerful art forms. More to come.......... Rally the TSA troops my heavy travel season has begun! Just returned from my 1st visit to Camp Erin Tulsa. What an awesome group of people! The kids all caught drum fever and looks like I'll be back same weekend next year! now on to year 4 at Camp Erin of the Central Valley in the Sierra Nevada mountains!! Thank you all who supported my trip to Parkland Florida to work with students and families in the community affected by the tragedy. This was an intense and much needed day of healing for the community. I look forward to a return visit. I have been asked to travel to Parkland, FL to help those affected by the Douglas High School shooting on their healing journey. A local organization, Bobby's Place, has called for a Grief Response Team, a national network of therapists, body workers, peer counselors and artists like myself to put on a free day-long gathering "A Day of Healing." During A Day of Healing members of the Douglas H.S. community can participate in workshops and sessions that best fit their needs at this time. Please consider supporting my work in Parkland more info at: www.gofundme.com/drummingatparkland Hello good people! Recovery is going well for the Achilles adventure. I will announce some very exciting news soon regarding an endorsement for my own drum sticks!! This year is off to a great start with programs already booked in NY, MD, DC, CA (3 trips in 4 locations), NE, MI, OK, PA, NJ, DE, ID and more in the works!! I appreciate everything just a little bit more after this injury and I thank the amazing community of friends and family that has supported me throughout. Time to get back to the giving!! I just presented at my first COCA oncology camp conference in Baltimore and yet another room full of amazing people doing amazing work! Inspiring! I will be working with cancer camps this upcoming summer in addition to grief camps. Presenting at The Moyer Foundation 2018 National Bereavement Camp Conference in Chicago was amazing in so many ways. This tribe of difference-makers is inspiring. I saw old friends and made new connections and of course booked some jobs! It's refreshing to be in a room with that many big-hearted people helping kids in need. My gratitude cup runneth over!! So in an act of a youthful mind and middle-aged body I tore my Achilles Tendon while playing ball at camp Erin NY in between classes. I finished out camp on one leg and then drove to Camp Chrysalis the next day to lead them in a day of drumming adventures! It's easy to motivate and not complain when you are working with grieving families. The reality and seriousness of this injury for me was surgery and now a long road back to normal. The medical expenses and cancelled work are quite a lot and I am so thankful and humbled by all of the love and support that has been coming my way. I much prefer giving and I'm learning how to receive help and take care of myself. My family has been amazing and each day I rise to count my blessings and bring gratitude to my days. I can't wait to be on the road again working with everyone and once again thank you! Just got word that my workshop was selected for the 2017 Moyer Foundation National Bereavement Camp Conference in Chicago in October!!! This will be my 3rd one and each has led to amazing personal connections and opportunities around the country. The Moyer family/team has been my foundation for this platform of work with grieving children and I am only one of many lives they have impacted in a meaningful difference-making way. Gratitude!!!! Summer programs are in full swing. Just returned from Camp Erin of the central Valley in the CA mountains, Camp Charlie in PA, and Camp Erin D.C.. My Live Connections 'Percussion studio" program started today and my CHAMP Rowan University enrichment program for at-risk teens starts tomorrow year 12 I believe as well as Rutgers Future Scholars in Camden....whew! No more time to write. See you on the road! So in one week I have led drumming workshops for men in prison, women in recovery, medically fragile children, middle-schoolers, and generous adults at a fundraiser. What's next universe?....I'm ready! I'm extremely grateful for for the opportunity to work again with Camp Mariposa D.C. for kids living under the roof of addiction, and Safe Harbor program for grieving children in Abington Pa. this past weekend. It's a gift to take challenges and obstacles I have overcome in my life and help others with that experience. Those chapters had to happen and now fuel my work as a facilitator and human being. I want to thank Michelle Marigliano, Aiden Un, and Natasha for coming to support and capture the day. New promo video coming soon. I want to thank my amazing friends at the Center for Grieving Children in Philadelphia for the "Community Hero" award at their 2016 Gala. You and the kids are my heroes. I got to lead the 400 attendees in an activity unifying everyone through rhythm. It was a gift to share this special night with my own sons who inspire and motivate me to be a better man. Additional offerings: -1 or 2 day workshops geared towards professional development. Inquire for details. -Corporate team-building through Rhythm October included a couple of trips to California to work with Camp Erin Santa Cruz and back to Lakeport County Hospice. both went really well and I will be seeing them again in 2017! NY Family!! Camp Erin NY year 5 was incredible. This was the first year the kids got to make drums!! We have created an amazing community with the common goal of helping kids! A big thanks to my new Indiana family at Erin's House/ Camp Good Grief for an amazing weekend of healing, heart, drumming, and connection!! Sand Castles Camp/ Camp Erin Detroit was an amazing experience. What an awesome group of people doing amazing work. Our camp culminated in an all out closing drum sharing for parents. The kids made and signed a blanket for me. Thank you Rutgers Future Scholars for the 2016 Service Award! My work with Camden teens for enrichment programs is gearing up for Rowan and Rutgers University. I love helping these kids find their creative voices. Most of June was spent working in California!! It was an honor to work with the good people of Lake County Hospice, Camp Erin San Diego, Camp Erin Modesto (up in the Sierra Nevada's) and another private workshop for a student council group focusing on teamwork and leadership. i was able to reconnect with some old friends and even ended the trip with a family vacation!! My 1st Camp Erin D.C. was an amazing experience with amazing people. Grateful to be a part of camp this year. Camp Erin PA was amazing this year. It was my 9th year doing that camp that started it all. i will be working at 8 camp Erins this year in addition to camps with other organizations!! I am grateful for the opportunity to help grieving children! I want to thank everyone who attended the family workshop this past weekend in collaboration with Penn Wissahickon Hospice. It was an honor to work with you all and I hope you keep drum "fever" going!! I had an amazing day at the Chesapeake Life Center in Maryland this month working with a teen group and combining that with a staff and volunteer training. Drums were built as well as the foundations and tools to bring drumming to their camp and group work. Back to the Kimmel! I'll be performing 2/27 at 11am for the PNC Growing up Great children's series at the Kimmel Center. NJ Residency drum fever!! I am currently working in 4 different schools in Camden, Trenton, Lavalette, and Lawrenceville. I was honored to present "The Language of Rhythm" this past Saturday at the Kimmel Center for their family series. It was packed and everyone caught drum fever. Thanks to Settlement music school for bringing me in!! Camp Mariposa PA was an amazing day of creativity, self-expression, and community. The kids all made drums and left with some tools for the toolbox. Happy Holiday's to everyone! This has been a year of profound growth personally and professionally. I'm thankful for all of the people I have had the opportunity to work with around the country and I look forward to all that is coming in 2016!! Gratitude! "Alo Brasil" Carnival concert set for Feb 13th 2016 at World Cafe live in philadelphia!!! There is a dinner show 7pm ad the the late show at 10:30 pm. Camp Mariposa D.C for kids living under the roof of addiction was an amazing experience on the Chesapeake Bay this weekend! Incredible staff and the kids were energized and all caught drum fever. Life is hard for those kids and they need all the tools and support they can get. I think some of that energy and emotion will be directed at the drum now. Thanks to The moyer Foundation for creating a place for these kids to get support!!! I just returned from presenting at The Moyer Foundation NBCC (National Bereavement Camp Conference) in Washington D.C. and had the honor of connecting and reconnecting with such an amazing group of people. I leave inspired and motivated to continue this work and reach as many communities as possible. I will be presenting at the Moore College of Art Symposium "Art As A Refuge" on November 7th. I am very excited to announce that I will be presenting at the Moyer Foundation's NBCC (National Bereavement Camp Conference) in Washington D.C. on November 16th!! I will also be at a vendor table after the workshop so come say hello. The T.A.P.S National Military Suicide Survivor seminar in Colorado Springs was a powerful and moving experience. I lead workshops for the kids and then facilitated a closing ceremony for all of the families. Looks like I will be with them again in D.C. in May!! have been asked to travel to Parkland, FL to help those affected by the Douglas High School shooting on their healing journey. A local organization, Bobby's Place, has called for a Grief Response Team, a national network of therapists, body workers, peer counselors and artists like myself to put on a free day-long gathering "A Day of Healing." During A Day of Healing members of the Douglas H.S. community can participate in workshops and sessions that best fit their needs at this time. I'm home from2018 my These past months have been an amazing time of growth, opportunity, and purpose. My grief work has taken me to California (2X), Nebraska, Portland Oregon, Colorado, and New York with more in the works. Combined with my teaching artist work, this new path is clearly a calling, and I embrace the gift of helping others and living my passion |
"I have worked with and hired many professionals during my years as a teacher, Camp Consultant, Athletic Director and Camp Director. Josh is the kind of teacher you think only exists in your mind, and hope that one day, someone like him will pass through your door and become part of your staff."
- Ann Fuchs (Director at Camp Erin New York City) “I had Josh Robinson come to BuzzFeed LA to do a day full of sessions to teach us a bit about non-verbal communication, the power of teamwork, and the positive results that come from stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It was a superb experience, and to all you badass leaders out there who are looking for a different way to help with forging a better team spirit, I highly recommend this groove. Did I mention that he is awesome?? Oh, and he’s also funny. So there.” -Julia Goldberg VP, Global Real Estate, Facilities, Security, and Studio Operations at BuzzFeed "What makes the workshops Josh offers so meaningful is his willingness to tailor them to meet the needs of everyone in the audience. There are not many artists who are able to go into a workshop with a specific plan and then change it at the last minute in an effort to allow the audience to participate in their own unique way" - Nicole Oidick (Manager of Accessible Programs & Special Projects at Art-Reach) "Josh combines excellent musicianship with charismatic teaching. He is able to explain complex rhythms, invent exercises that bring these concepts home to students and inspire students to take part, all through an easy-going style that easily builds rapport. Whether it’s helping students create their own “Rhythm Poems” (which join original writing and original rhythms), or make the bucket drums to accompany these poems, Josh blends a rigorous approach with an accessible style for a combination that brings out the best in the populations with whom he works." - David Bradley (Founding Director of Live Connections) "Having Josh facilitate drumming at Camp Erin Philadelphia has been an excellent complement to the music therapy songwriting I facilitate, and has truly enriched our performing arts programming. Josh’s unique way of engaging and supporting the campers helps them open up creatively and energetically, which enhances their level of involvement in writing the camp song and performing in the showcase. I would recommend this kind of team approach to other camp sites!" Molly G. Hicks, board-certified music therapist "He is sensitive to the individual's need to feel comfortable in the group setting and understands the challenge of entering as a guest in an established group. During the one Middle School Group, Mr. Robinson addressed the participants' concern about him entering the group and signed a contract the group created in preparation for his arrival. This act demonstrated his willingness to meet the participants where they are emotionally and dedication to creating a nurturing environment for growth." - Lauren DeMarco (Director of Center Based Programming at The Center for Grieving Children) “I like the way Josh worked with [the students] presenting the drums as a way to get out aggression. Picking a partner helped them learn to work with another. Whether they drum or don’t drum, it’s still a fun activity. It gave them other life skills to apply it to, so I’m happy about that.” - Crystal Lowery (Social Services Coordinator at Regency Park) “It seemed like we felt free to do what we wanted with the drums. We could let our anger and energy go and just go with the drums,” - Student at Roots & Rhythm Workshop held at Regency Park Community Center "Josh plays a valuable role in promoting the mission of Young Audiences by participating in our fundraising efforts. Through a series of appearances at “friend raising” events Josh inspired individuals to donate gifts to support our work. At these events he would inspire our guests with a brief performance and then guide them through an interactive rhythm activity. The events were powerful and Josh’s artistry and enthusiasm never failed to excite even the most reluctant participant. Josh is the “real deal”... a Master Teaching Artist. He loves his work, is a brilliant collaborator and approaches every task with creativity and a kind heart. It has been a pleasure to work with him and an honor to call him a friend." Larry Capo President and CEO (Retired) Young Audiences New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania |