Playing guitar and banjo, Robin’s soothing voice, engaging personality and playful spirit create a get-involved show for her young audiences. Drawing from traditional folk and pop music, classic children’s material and her own songs, her show is a rousing, funny, crowd-pleasing experience which features improvised lyrics, and lots of participation including sharing rhythm instruments. Robin has had experience working with all kinds of young audiences; from libraries to minority schools to physically and emotionally handicapped groups. What enables her to relate to these diverse groups is her ability to find common themes and music that all people respond to. She has been especially effective with very young children. Robin toured many public schools and libraries as half of Children’s duo Guitar People performing an Americana-theme show. Robin spent 3 months of 1991 performing at a theme park in Japan for family audiences. She has released a tape of music for children, “Art Is A Language.” Robin holds a B.A. in Music from SUNY-Stony Brook. You can hear sound clips here.
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Some places Robin has performedSmithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C. Bethlehem Musikfest, Bethlehem, PA Johns Hopkins Univ. Family Weekend, MD Renaissance Jambouree Festival, Bloomsburg, PA Girl Scouts of Rochester, NY Annual Convention Pocantico Hills Summer Day Camp, Tarrytown, NY Charles Point Marina, Peeksill, NY Great Neck Dept of Parks and Recreation, L.I. Tarrytown Spring Festival, NY Temple Emmanuel Nursery School, New Hyde Park, NY The Statue of Liberty South Street Seaport Pumpkin Festival Astoria Park (Queens, NY) Summer Fun Children’s Series |
New York Public Libraries: Levittown, Massapequa, Hicksville, New Hyde Park, Great Neck, Elmont, Oceanside, Shelter Rock, Shirley, Merrick, North Bellmore, Brentwood,Queens, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Bronxville, Yonkers, Rye, Haverstraw, Longwood, Ellenville, Fallsburg, 15 Brooklyn Public Library branches, 3 Queens Branches
CT Libraries: Connetquot, Bridgeport, East Hartford, Danbury, Bristol. Ridgefield, etc.
NJ Libraries: Livingston, Paramus, Tenafly, Bloomfield,
A description of Robin’s shows for families and children:
- MUSIC FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART:Features lots of audience participation, singing and soliciting contributions of ideas and lyrics from the audience. Rhythm instruments are brought along and shared. Audiences are introduced to the 5-string banjo. Robin sings songs about the seasons, holidays, travelling, working, playing, etc. Theme shows can be built around advance requests. Repertoire includes contemporary children’s music, traditional folk songs and original music.
- SONGS OF THE SEASON
A multicultural December holiday show featuring songs from Christmas, Yuletide, Hanukah, Gospel and Kwanzaa. Robin can appear in Dickensian costume if desired. Solo or duo show.
- MUSIC OF THE SPANISH JEWS – appropriate for ages 10 and up A concert of the music of the Spanish Jews. Sung in Ladino, a mixture of Spanish, Hebrew and other languages. (Ladino is in danger of extinction). Especially recommended for Hispanic children. This show can be part of a more general Introduction to Jewish Music, incorporating Yiddish and Hebrew songs as well.
- JEWISH HOLIDAY SHOWA program featuring songs and stories about important Jewish Holidays such as Chanukah, Purim, Rosh Hashana, Simcha Torah, etc. The holidays are explained and enhanced with songs. Props may be used.
- JEWISH MUSIC FROM ALL OVERThis program covers the three Jewish languages: Hebrew, Ladino or Judeo-Spanish, and Yiddish.
- IMAGES OF WOMEN – appropriate for ages 10 and up A concert/lecture introducing young people to traditional Anglo-American and Afro-American folksongs while offering different views of women over the past two hundred years. Can be done as a concert or an in-class presentation. Recommended for Women’s History Month.
- ROBIN’S RAINBOWA duo performing classic folk/rock songs from the 60’s & 70’s featuring great harmony, sing-alongs, etc. Repertoire includes Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, the Monkees, the Turtles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, etc. An up-tempo show with or without drum machines.
- EARTH DAY SHOW – Get GREEN with Robin Greenstein! Songs and stories celebrating our environment along with ideas on how to reduce, recycle and reuse our garbage.
- HALLOWEEN SHOWFeatures scary songs and stories, jokes, etc.
- SONGS AND STORIES OF CONNECTICUT Features songs, stories and facts about the Nutmeg State. Repertoire includes historical songs, songs of whaling and sailing, original composed music and other related material colleced from some of the most knowledgeable performers in CT, including Rick Spenser, shantyman from Mystic seaport and State Troubador Tom Callinan, and the “Ct Peddler” Stan Ranson.
Sample Repertoire:Wheels on the Bus / Here Comes the Sun / When I Build My House / The Swimming Song / If I Had A Hammer / I’ve Been Working On the Railroad / Oh Susannah / BINGO / If You’re Happy / Grampa’s Farm / Cluck Old Hen / Art Is A Language / Banjo Picking Girl / The Devil and the Farmer’s Wife / Library Song / Big Yellow Taxi / The Titanic / What If A Cow Ate You? / Trick or Treat / Thump Thump Thump / I Had An Old Coat / Nathan Hale / Why a Dog’s Nose is Cold And Wet
Some Reviews:“Thank you for joining us at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery for our Family Day Program. Your performance was just great with a wonderful mix of instruments, styles and songs. The program fit perfectly into the themes of our studio furniture exhibition since you were able to speak extensively about various Martin Guitars and the history of the company. I have received a lot of great feedback from visitors who enjoyed your part of the program and hopefully we will have the opportunity to work together again soon.”
Katie Murphy, Public Programs Specialist
Smithsonian American Art Museum “Her lovely voice, lively guitar and banjo playing, and charming personality, held the attention of even the youngest members of the audience…she was highly professional and very easy to deal with. Her fee is extraordinarily reasonable based on the quality of her show.”
Michael Bogin, Librarian
Children’s & Parent’s Svcs. Dept
Mastics-Moriches- Shirley Comm. Library, NY“Adults as well as students felt that they had been exposed to a fascinating, enlightening, historical, entertaining experience which brought us all closer together through the universality of song. Ms. Greenstein was a knowledgable, excellent teacher; talented and charming.”
(Music of the Spanish Jews)
R. Steinberg, Soc. Studies Teacher
Jr. HS. 54, NYC, NY“The children and parents were treated to some great songs celebrating Women’s History Month! I am recommending your show to our adult programmer.”
Bonnie Markel, Children’s Services
Merrick Library, NY“If smiles, singing and hand clapping indicate the children’s enjoyment, then your performance scored high. You are a talented performer and you know how to involve the children to make them even more enthusiastic.”
Carol Metrick
Teacher of the Gifted and Talented
PS. 114, Brooklyn, NY“The children enjoyed your songs and enthusiasm and the parents in attendance also gave rave reviews. Your love of children and music is apparent.”
Tom Bazzicalupo
North Bellmore Public Library, NY“I keep hearing raves from parents! It was a laid-back, casual show, perfect for our Sat. morning crowd. The kids loved dancing and singing along, and the parents enjoyed the fact that they recognized some of the tunes. You even managed to get everyone to share your rhythm instruments without any battles!”
Maria Giannullo
Bloomfield Public Library, NJ