Coffeehouse Karaoke

Originally designed for the college market, Robin is bringing Coffeehouse Karaoke to other venues and private parties. Coffeehouse Karaoke is an interactive show with Robin where participants get up and sing with her. They can choose from about 300 songs that range from rock, folk, blues, country, Broadway, alternative, Tin Pan Alley –just about anything that Robin can play on a guitar. People are also invited to request songs they already know the words to… if Robin knows it, she’ll play it!

Lyric sheets are provided as well as rhythm instruments. Robin helps the singers find a good key, prompts them, sings harmony and they become the stars! People can sing solo or in groups.

Great for parties, orientations, open mikes, family events,birthdays, meeting entertainment, campfires, Coffeehouse Karaoke is fun and gets people involved! It’s truly a music sharing experience. Robin can do this show solo or as a duo.

Some places Robin has performed Coffeehouse Karaoke: U.S. Military Academy at West Point (NY), Polytechnic University (NY), East Stroudsburg Univ. (PA), Lyndon State College (VT), Rutgers Univ. (NJ) and elsewhere at private parties, children’s birthday parties, etc.

Some of the artists covered include classic rock from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the Police and Creedence; folk rock from the Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, Monkees, Van Morrison, James Taylor: classic women artists like Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, etc.; 50’s acts like the Everly Bros., Buddy Holly, Elvis and Sinatra; 80’s acts like Springsteen, U2 and The Police; and modern rock and alternative like Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Five For Fighting, Maroon 5, Train, Matchbox 20, etc. Soul and Motown music are available as well as some acoustic based hip hop music.Karaoke classics like Summer Nights, Stand By Me, Build Me Up Buttercup…. there are hundreds of songs to choose from!

please contact Robin for references and pricing.

 

 

 

Cruise and Resort work

Cruise and Resort Work

 

Robin has had experience working for both Cruise Lines and Resorts. She was a headliner for Renaissance Cruise Lines up until they went out of business following 9/11. She was flown to Europe and India to perform on their ships and was the main showroom singer and banjo player backed up by a 7 piece band. She has performed for Club Med for the past decade at 7 of their locations in North America. She worked at Holland Village outside Nagasaki, Japan for three months in 1991.

Robin can perform with charts for a ship band or play solo, duo, trio, or full band. The material covers a wide range of styles as Robin plays guitar, banjo and uke. She has a cover list of over 300 songs ranging from standards to pop, folk, rock, folk-rock, country, blues and jazz. Song list provided upon request.

Prior Performances
Top of the Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas
Holland Village, Nagasaki, Japan
 Club Med – Columbus Isle, Cancun, Turks and Caicos, Punta Cana, Paradise Island

Performing at Club Med Turks in April of 2009:

at Sharkie’s Beach Bar:

Shows for Seniors

Programs for Seniors and Special Audiences

Robin Greenstein does musical programs tailored for seniors and special audiences, including hospitals, nursing homes, health related facilities, shelters, special ed groups, psychiatric and senior centers. These programs include Sing-along to Standards, folk music, Patriotic programs and much more. Accompanying herself on guitar, ukelele and/or banjo, Robin sings in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino and Yiddish. For many years she has worked for Hospital Audiences, Inc. performing throughout the five boroughs of New York City. More recently she has been performing for Music That Heals, which brings music to sick children in hospitals, homeless children and juvenile facilities. She has performed for Hadassah, Hatzilu, The Atria and The Hallmark at Battery Park City (upscale senior residence), Samuel Field Y in Little Neck, Mid-Island JCC in Plainview, NY and dozens of libraries in the tri-state area.

Robin has a B.A. in Music and majored in classical guitar. She studied American folk music extensively. Her first job out of college was working under a grant to do music research in Sephardic Jewish Music by collecting songs from NYC residents under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress.

Robin has sung the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the NY Knicks, was a headline performer for the Renaissance Cruise Line, played at Club Med in various locations, and spent 3 months singing at a theme park in Japan. She tours Europe regularly and her work with Martin Guitars took her to mainland China in October of 2002 where she performed in Shangahi and Beijing. She has a lot of experience working with all kinds of seniors, from very active to hospice residents.

She has released two CDs of original material, two CDs of folk and blues songs about women; and a children’s music recording. Her latest recording is a multi-cultural holiday CD entitled “Songs of the Season.”


Sample client list includes:

Daughters of Israel, West Orange, NJ Tarrytown Care Center, Tarrytown, NY
Meadow View Nursing Home, Secaucus, NJ Jewish Home, New York, NY
Hudson Valley DDSO Block & Hexter Vacation Center, PA
Atria and Sunrise Assisted Living -many locations The Hallmark at Battery Park City, NY
Sheepshead Bay Nursing Home, Brooklyn, NY Kislak Adult Camps
United Cerebral Palsy of NY Hospital Audiences Inc.
United Cerebral Palsy of NY Hospital Audiences Inc.

 


Repertoire includes:

Standards Country Jewish
Sing-Along Banjo / Ukelele Foreign Language
Gospel Pop Traditional Folk
Rock ‘n Roll Broadway Swing

Theme shows include: Patriotic Program – July 4, Earth Day, December Holiday shows, Valentine’s Day show “All You Need Is Love”, Passover programs, Purim programs, Women’s Month shows, Songs of the Sea, St. Patrick’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Black History Month, Autumm celebrations, Sing Along to Standards, Celebrate America, etc.

NEW: Robin is offering a tribute to Pete Seeger “The Power of Song”. Playing banjo and guitar, she recounts the important milestones of his remarkable life including the famous songs he wrote as well as the songs he made famous! Seniors who were his contemporaries are especially moved by this program as it touches upon their life stories as well.

Watch Robin perform:

Someone to Watch Over Me (George and Ira Gershwin)

Saving All My Love For You (Whitney Houston hit)

Hanukkah medley

and many more songs on guitar and banjo at her Youtube Channel.

Prices for shows depend on type of venue and distance from New York City. Please contact Robin with any questions.

Robin’s Rainbow

 

Robin’s Rainbow (Robin’s duos and trios) – music for adults

Besides her own original music concerts, Robin offers a duo or trio specializing in classic folk/rock/country songs from the 60’s & 70’s featuring great harmony, sing-alongs, etc. Repertoire includes Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, The Eagles, Linda Rondstadt, James Taylor, the Monkees, the Turtles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, etc. — All the music the baby boomers grew up with and still love to this day. An up-tempo show with or without drum machine or drummer. Robin was half of the well known NY area duo Guitar People for many years, performing at venues throughout the tri-state NY region. Robin’s Rainbow is perfect for summer concert series, fall family events such as college family weekends, apple picking time, wineries, or private parties/bar mitzvahs, etc. Robin has a request list of over 300 songs. 

Some of Robin’s favorite sidemen/performing partners are Barry Weisenfeld, bassist from Warwick, NY and Roy Goldberg, her former partner in Guitar People. Marshal Rosenberg on percussion can often be found backing up Robin at gigs. She also brings in Julie Bluestone on sax and flute for a jazzier and Latin feel.

Robin and Barry Weisenfeld at the Hudson River Park concert, July 2002
(Gov. Pataki arrived by kayak!)

Performing at the Renaissance Jambouree in Bloomsburg, PA – I’ve played there numerous times, performing both kids shows and on the mainstage.

 

Performing at Club Med Turks with Roy Goldberg April 2009 Performing at Club Med Columbus Isle 2009 with
Julie Bluestone 

Below is just a sampling of artists covered by Robin’s Rainbow:

Clapton, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Creedence, Simon & Garfunkle, Eagles, Everly Bros, Buddy Holly, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, James Taylor, Neil Young, CSN,Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Dusty Springfield, the Turtles, the Monkees, the British Invasion groups, Bill Joel, Elton John, etc.

Want More? Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls, Sarah McLaughlan, Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Avril Levigne, U2, The Police, Sting, John Mayer

Alternative groups? Five For Fighting, Green Day, Sixpence None The Richer, Uncle Cracker;
R&B artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, classic motown songs, etc.

Country artists like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, Dixie Chicks, etc.

Jewish Music Programs

Robin Greenstein – Jewish Music Programs

  

a family friendly song celebrating Chanukah – infectiously catchy!


Robin performs Jewish music programs for both children and adults. She was chosen to receive a federal CETA grant to do music research for the American Jewish Congress in Sephardic Ladino Music, and offers a show of all Ladino music called Music of the Spanish Jews.

Robin also sings in Hebrew and Yiddish, and does a program called “Jewish Music From All Over”, incorporating those languages plus Ladino (Judeo-Spanish). She can do specific Jewish Holiday music programs for Hanukkah, Purim or Passover.

More recently Robin has provided music for Friday night services, or an Oneg Shabat, and led the music for seders at senior residences, community seders, etc.

Venues performed at include Senior Vacation Centers, Senior Residence Living, Adult Jewish Camps, Synagogues, Sisterhood organizations, JCCs, Y’s, schools and Senior Health and Day Recreational Facilities.

In 2011 Robin released a multi-cultural holiday CD entitled “Songs of the Season”, which contains 4 Hanukkah songs in English, Hebrew and Ladino.

Please e-mail Robin for more details on what she can offer you in terms of a Jewish music show. For a more “freilach” show, she can add a musician or two to create a dance band.

 hear some samples!

Bulbes – Yiddish

V’taher Libeynu – Hebrew

“El Rey Que Muncho Madruga” – Ladino

“Svivon”, from her “Songs of the Season” holiday CD.

“Celebrate Hanukkah”, featured on her “Songs of the Season” holiday CD.

Images of Women

concert/lecture/performance

Q. What do Lorena & John Bobbitt, Frankie & Johnny, Newt Gingrich and Hillary Clinton, cross-dressing, sexual harrassment, unrequited love and women in the military have in common?

A. These topics and more are sung about in IMAGES OF WOMEN, an informative, entertaining exploration of views of women as expressed in traditional Anglo-American and Afro-American folksong. Robin surveys issues of love and fidelity, loyalty and desertion, subservience and independence in a wide variety of traditional and modern music sung and played on guitar and banjo.

This show can be performed as a full concert without the lecture component; or as a concert-lecture.

Robin is a veteran performer on the college market and has a broad background in music and folklore. She studied guitar, banjo and folklore at the Guitar Workshop in Roslyn, NY, later becoming a teacher at the same school. For two summers she attended Pinewoods Folk Music Camp, run by the English Country Song & Dance Society. Robin earned a B.A. in Music from SUNY-Stony Brook, studying for a year at Trinity College of Music and King’s College in London. While at Stony Brook, she studied under and worked as an assistant to famed folk performer/musicology professor Hedy West (composer of “500 Miles”) cataloguing and indexing her extensive collection of American folk music. Robin’s thesis was on Women in Traditional British and American Folksong. She went on to be signed by Bob Dylan’s publishing company as a songwriter, and later became a clinician for the world reknown Martin Guitar Company.

Combining her love of folk music with her interest in women’s issues to create an entertaining, educational and enlightening experience, Robin has brought this program to campuses all over the country in many different formats: as a lecture, an in-class presentation, a noontime show, an evening concert.

Robin has released two CDs of related music: “Images of Women,”and “Images of Women, Vol. II”

heres a link to a studio performance of “Born In The Country” (from “Images of Women, Vol. II”)

“As an Activities professional that strives to have programs that faculty recognize as viable components of the co-cirriculum experience, your program is extremely beneficial. Your presentation was well received by faculty, staff and students.”
Union Director, Towson State University, MD

“You intelligently articulated both the historical significance and cultural implications of folk music with modern society.”
Erik Bakken, Campus Minister, Univ. of MN-Morris

“Your performance was spectacular! Everyone enjoyed the combination of music and storytelling in the form of folklore. Not only was it entertaining, but interesting and informative as well.”
Douglass College Annual Women’s Conference ’92, NJ

“Like good poetry, your music both pleases and instructs: I learned something new…and was treated to a revival of some of my favorite folk ballads sung with spirit and loving respect.”
Dr. Karen Elias, Asst. Prof, English, Lock Haven Univ., PA

“Your performance was a wonderful opening for Women’s History Month. The mix of pop and folk music was informative, interactive, entertaining and most of all FUN!”
Jennifer Reyes, Women’s Center Coordinator, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ

Images of Women is a lively program which can be co-sponsored between Student Activities, Women’s Centers and Women’s Studies Departments.

 

 

Some of the institutions where Robin has performed this show:

 

Towson State Univ., MD
Johns Hopkins Univ, MD
Goucher College, MD
College of Notre Dame, MD
Univ. of MD – College Park
St. Mary’s College, MD
Wells College, NY
SUNY – Canton, NY
Cayuga Comm. Coll, NY
College of St. Rose, Albany, NY

Cazenovia College, NY

Jamestown Comm. College, NY
Wilson College, PA
Utica Coll. of Syracuse Univ., NY
Lock Haven Univ., PA
College of New Rochelle, NY
Connecticut College, CT
Ripon College, Ripon, WI
Penn State: Scranton, Mont Alto
Penn State – Harrisburg, PA
Burlington Comm. College, NJ
Randolph-Macon College, VA
Greensboro College, NC
Barton College, NC
Hollins College, Roanoke, VA
St. Andrews Presbyterian College, SC
Univ. of Minn. – Morris, MN 
Coffeyville Comm. College, KS
Ursinus College, PA
Univ. of Notre Dame, IN
Central Missouri State Univ., MO
Hanover College, IN
McKendree College, MO
St. Mary of the Woods College, IL
Cornell Univ., NY
AT&T, Allentown, PA
Passaic Comm. Coll, NJ
Herkimer Comm. Coll, NJ
Utica Coll of Syracuse Univ., NY

To hear music from this program, visit the sound clips page

Performances for Children and Families

Performances for Children and Families
“Music for the Young At Heart”


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

 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