Community

Using Drumming As A Tool To Teach Life And Coping Skills

Josh provides a positive and creative outlet that acts as a vehicle for self-expression and emotional release in a safe space.

Putting Purpose To Pain

When Josh was a kid he had lot of anger and confusion from growing up with a father who was addicted to drugs. He liked to hit things to release anger and learned very quickly that the drum was one of the few things that he could hit and be productive, not destructive. Josh’s drum has always been a place where he could escape into a world where the limitations of words don’t exist.

This was true when his grandfather, who was always a reliable father figure and stepped in when his home life was broken, was at the end of his life. As he lay in his hospital bed, Josh brought in one of his drums to play when words were no longer the best way for him to communicate. The drum helped Josh process his grief.

People at the hospital began to ask him to play for them and their ailing relatives and Josh realized that his grandfather, in his final days, was guiding him to what he considers his most important work.

“I love sharing the tools that have helped me navigate this human experience with others in need of a voice, or vehicle, for healthy self-expression.”

Work With Josh

Education

Teaching has been an important part of Josh’s personal and creative growth. When he was a kid he had lot of anger and confusion from growing up with a father who was addicted to drugs. He liked to hit things to release his anger and learned very quickly that the drum was one of the few things he could hit and be productive not destructive.

Through hands on workshops and performances, Josh gives students tools to express their emotions and develop their unique creativity. Working with kids from all backgrounds, he teaches that drumming is a way to have a conversation, to listen and collaborate. Since 2003, Josh has been teaching drumming and drum making, and performing in schools, community centers, and after school programs.

Teaching

Josh has been teaching a Humanities course at Thomas Jefferson University for Medical students entitled “The Language of Music” where he introduces students to the power of music, self care, teamwork, communicational skills, and navigating improvisation. All tools useful for their future careers in Medicine. The school created an “Artist in Residence” position for Josh and his program now includes patient-facing work and student collaboration for projects in the medical space.

He is also part of a research study being conducted on the health benefits of drumming and the positive effects his course has on medical students. He also teaches this course at PCOM (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine).

Teaching

Josh has been teaching a Humanities course at Thomas Jefferson University for Medical students entitled “The Language of Music” where he introduces students to the power of music, self care, teamwork, communicational skills, and navigating improvisation. All tools useful for their future careers in Medicine. The school created an “Artist in Residence” position for Josh and his program now includes patient-facing work and student collaboration for projects in the medical space.

He is also part of a research study being conducted on the health benefits of drumming and the positive effects his course has on medical students. He also teaches this course at PCOM (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine).

GRIEF

Josh has felt that his drum has always been a place where he could escape into a world where the limitations of words aren’t present. His drum helped him process his grief during difficult times and he is committed to passing those skills on to other’s who are processing grief. In his work with grieving adults and children, Josh meets people where they are emotionally and creates a nurturing environment for growth.

Since 2007, Josh has been teaching drumming as a tool of healing and expression for grieving children across the United States with Eluna’s Camp Erin and numerous hospice facilities and grief programs around the country.

Performance

In the year 2000, after years of intensive drum training in the U.S., Cuba and Brazil Josh took a leap of faith and quit his day job to become a professional musician. He is a member of the renowned Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra and Brazilian music band Alô Brasil. Through these groups Josh continue to learn and evolve as an artist and maintain a practice in which his performance and teaching work feed each other.

Performing professionally ensures that his skills as a musician stay sharp and enable him to bring classrooms and young audiences the same quality of music that paying concert goers expect.

Performance

In the year 2000, after years of intensive drum training in the U.S., Cuba and Brazil Josh took a leap of faith and quit his day job to become a professional musician. He is a member of the renowned Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra and Brazilian music band Alô Brasil. Through these groups Josh continues to learn and evolve as an artist and maintain a practice in which his performance and teaching work feed each other.

Performing professionally ensures that his skills as a musician stay sharp and enable him to bring classrooms and young audiences the same quality of music that paying concert goers expect.

Get In Contact With Josh

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What Others Are Saying About Josh

Vanessa Simon

Healing Through the Arts Outreach & Program Coordinator for the Delaware Art Museum

“Josh brings a sensitivity and artistry that combines music and self-expression in a welcoming, non-intimidating format. We’ve had Josh lead Grief Drumming, Drum Making workshop and The Power of Music – a writing and listening workshop. We feel so lucky to have Josh share his gifts with our program and community! It is always a Healing time with Josh!”

Ann Fuchs

Director, Camp Erin
Eluna Network, New York City

“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.”

Nicole Oidick

Manager of Accessible Programs & Special Projects, Art-Reach

“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”