Quick jump: (In First Name Alphabetical
Order)---- Benjy, Bill, Bradley, Brian, Donna,
Faye, Jim, Kathy, Lauren,
Mel, Michelle G., Michelle
K., Michelle
R., Mimi E., Mimi H.,
Paula, Rick,
Rob, Sky, Tom,
Name: Eric M. Kramer (Rick)
From: Bakersfield, California
Occupation: English as a Second Language Teacher
The musical director and person to whom people complain. Designer of the JOIA TUBES: a musical instrument for professional musicians, music educators, and music therapists. He facilitates Unity Through Percussion Workshops. which uses percussion for community and team building activities in schools, corporations, hospitals and other special groups. Travels include Brazil, Most of South America, Africa and Europe.
His work is documented on three Compact Disks: JOIA-World Percussion
Ensemble (CD-1996), NINTH & GEYER (JOIA} 2002
The Sambistas (CD-1994), Power's Court (CD-1996).
Name: Toni Schmidt
From: New York City
Day Job: Residential Engineer and Chakra Spinner
Antoinetta was born in the Big Apple. Raised by Nuns, she remained pure at heart and body until she met a sailor. She moved to the Missouri and produced a litter of three. After spending many years living in the countryside, she moved to the cultural capitol of Missouri, Saint Louis. Still pure of heart, she began playing with JOIA in 1999. She has found her instrument to be the A-Go-Go Bell. She played tamborin on our CD NINTH & GEYER (JOIA} 2002.
Name: Paula Annatura Geiss
From: Undisclosed Location
Day Job: Healer
Mother of Mehra, Ian, Evan and Anya; has a Masters Degree in the Science of
Nursing; Third Degree Reiki master and teacher, massage therapist, meditation
teacher, parenting consultant, camp counselor/nurse for self-esteem camp for
children and teens; is a member of JOIA-a percussion ensemble committed to creating
"Unity Through Percussion™"-presenting
healing workshops with percussion instruments. Paula is a graduate of the Barbara
Brennan Healing Science program. Paula played tamborin on our CD NINTH
& GEYER (JOIA} 2002.
Name: Mimi Eagleton
From: Saint Louis, Missouri
Occupation: Dance Instructor, Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist
Ms. Eagleton has lived and taught dance all over the world. Her travels have taken her to live in Japan where she managed five dance studios. She has also lived in Korea, Alaska, Hawaii, Guatemala and France. In addition she has traveled all over Europe and the Continental United States. Ms. Eagleton began her percussion career in California playing the thunder drum during native American ceremonies. She has studied under Palo, Ed Brown and Moacyr Marchini. She has also studied dance and percussion with the Kathryn Dunham Dance Company.
Name: Mel Eberle
From: Peoria, Illinois
Occupation: Music Therapist
Mr. Eberle is a founding member of Joia. He is a composer and performer. He has been writing his own compositions for many years. Mr. Eberle began his professional career playing bass guitar in 1982 with the four piece band "The First Things". His body of work is truly incredible. His recording credits include; The First Things - First Things First (EP 1983c). Arms of Someone New - Significant Others (EP 1983c), Occam Razor (EP 1984c),Notes From Underground (EP 1985c), The Holy Dance and White Friars (Single 1985c), Burying the Carnival (EP 1986c),Susan Sleepwalking (EP 1986c),Black and White (EP 1987c),Promise (CD 1988c).The Sambistas - The Sambistas (CD 1994c), Joia - The World Percussion Ensemble (CD 1996c). Mr. Eberle has studied under Marcos Santos, George Alabe, Gary Muszyinski and Richard Hertal. He currently plays guitar, sings and writes original songs with Joia.
Name: Rob Collins
From: Oak Park, Illinois
Day Job: Washington University Student
Rob is an adventurous little boy that got his rhythm from playing on the handle bars of an exercise bike while listening to recorded music. He has had an interest in drums since 1991, but has never received formal training, nor has he been in a regularly meeting band before joining Joia in September of 2002.
Name: Michelle G. No biographical
sketch at this time.
Name: Tom Snider. No biographical
sketch at this time.
Name: Kathy Kniepmann. No biographical sketch at this time.
Name: Donna M. Hailstone JOIA PLUS
From : Belleville, Illinois
Occupation: Legal Assistant
Ms. Hailstone is a founding member of JOIA. She has studied World percussion since 1993. She was a dancer with The Sambista’s where she began her training as a percussionist. Ms. Hailstone has studied percussion aggressively since she began. She has studied under Richard Guzman, Sky Kingsland, Moacyr Marchini, Thor Anderson, and Jason Dodson. Her recording credits include; JOIA - The World Percussion Ensemble (CD 1996c). Ms. Hailstone is also one of the lead vocalists for JOIA. She composes, and produces her songs for JOIA.
Name: Jared Bryant JOIA PLUS
From: Hilo, Hawaii
Occupation: Northern Californian Paramedic
Mr. Bryant has studied percussion since 1994. He has studied and performed in native American drum circles for two years. He joined JOIA in 1995. Mr. Bryant has studied a wide variety of hand drums including congas, Bongos, and Djembe. He has also studied the Brazilian instruments; Surdo, Tamborim, and Agogo bells. Mr. Bryant has studied under Sky Kingsland and Jason Dodson.
Name: Michelle Krause
JOIA PLUS
From: Detroit, Michigan
Occupation: English as a Second Language Teacher
Ms. Krause has been performing with JOIA since 1994. After graduating
from the University of Michigan with a specialty in Asian History Ms. Krause
moved to Northeast Asia where she lived for four years. She has also traveled
to many other countries around the world. She has studied Brazilian and
Latin rhythms extensively since joining the group. Her percussion studies
include; Tamborim, Agogo bells, congas, and Ganzas.
Ms. Krause has studied under the Brazilian artist Moacyr
Marchini and has also studied with Thor Anderson, Jason Dodson and
Michael Faris. Her recording credits include; JOIA - The
World Percussion Ensemble (CD 1996c).
Name: Michael Fishman JOIA
PLUS
From: Brooklyn, New York
Occupation: Printing Executive
Mike Fishman -the Sultan Of Samba, is the most mature member of the group;
agewise, socially and mentally! He occupies himself by playing
with JOIA, and is currently Chairman of the MG Club of St. Louis,
and the proud owner of a magnificent 1965 Tartan Red MG Roadster.
In order to support all his nasty hobbies, the Sultan sells printing.
He is the father of Mitch Fishman -and considers himself "surogate"
father to Benjy Portnoy.....and in fact to most of JOIA! except for
Bradley who has a certain mystical aura about him. Mr. Fishman has studied
percussion since 1961. He began his career with the 1960’s group, "The
Euphonics". Mr. Fishman has studied classical, marching, and rock &
roll percussion. He began his world percussion studies in 1989 when he
joined the Sambistas. He has studied under Gary Muszynski and Thor Anderson.
In 1993 he joined JOIA and brought his vast experience to the group.
His recording credits include; The Sambistas (CD 1994c)
and JOIA - The World Percussion Ensemble (CD 1996c).
and NINTH & GEYER (JOIA} 2002 Mr. Fishman
is also a Timpani
and drumset player.
Name: Murad Nayal JOIA PLUS
From: Aleppo, Syria
Occupation: Biophysicist
Mr. Nayal has performed with JOIA since 1995. He began his percussion
studies playing in drum circles. He has studied the doumbeck ( a native
Syrian drum) and Brazilian percussion. Mr. Nayal has studied under Ed Brown
of the Kathryn Dunham Dance company, Moacyr Marchini, and Thor Anderson.
His recording credits include; Joia-The World Percussion Ensemble
(CD 1996c). Mr. Nayal is also a trained drumset player.
Name: Bradley E. Drury
JOIA PLUS - ON TEMPORARY MEDICAL LEAVE
From: Marshalltown, Iowa (Field of Dreams)
Occupation: Audio/Video Producer, Web Page Designer/Developer, Bon Vivant, Arbiter
Elegantarum, Man About Town
Mr. Drury began his percussion career in late January of 1948 playing
pots and pans in his Mother’s kitchen. As he grew older he studied classical
string instruments with a focus on the Viola. In 1969 he performed as the
Bass Player with a honky tonk band "The Boys" at a Highly-Classified U.S.
Government Radio Transmitting Facility located in the Great Dismal Swamp.
He was a core member and The Bell Guy in the Sambistas in 1989. Mr. Drury
is a founding member of JOIA and also one of the master percussionists..
He has studied under Marcos Santos, Gary Muszynski, Moacyr Marchini, and
Jorge Alabe. His recording credits include; The Sambistas (CD 1994c),
JOIA - The World Percussion Ensemble (CD 1996c).
NINTH & GEYER by JOIA 2002
Name: Brian McCary JOIA PLUS
From: New York State
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
Mr. McCary has studied percussion since he was 13 years old. He is one of the most versatile percussionist in the midwest. He has studied classical, jazz, and world beat percussion. He has studied under Don Bush - classical percussion, Jack Bell - Atlanta symphony and in San Francisco with Mary Ellen Donald - Doumbek and Riq. He has also studied under Glen Valez, Alesander Blloni, Jorge Alabe and Layne Redmond. His recording credits include: TheObsessions - single, 1984. Haggard Poets, 1989.Quasi Mojo CD, 1995.The Sambistas CD, 1994.Autumns Child CD, 1998. Mr. McCary started performing with Joia in 1996.
Name: Faye Cohen McCary
JOIA PLUS
From:
Occupation: Rhumatologist
Mrs. McCary has been performing with JOIA since 1997. She has studied percussion, Viola and flute. Although, she’s only performed with JOIA a short time she has quickly mastered the ago-go bells. Her secret desire; She’s always wanted to be the drummer for Alice Cooper. JOIA is a stepping stone towards that goal.
Name: Bill Hamm
JOIA PLUS
From: Saint Louis, Missouri
Occupation: Brick Layer
First studied under Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Buddy Rich
(record player was up on table), Started playing on grade school
desks...could make great conga/bongo sounds (first performance review
from Sister Kathleen Michael:" Who's making those bongo sounds?!! ")...first
snare drum at 12, mainly played outside (go figure)...did high school
and college
plays: If I Were a Rich Man? brings about
same reaction as 3 Stooges at Niagra Falls?...slowly
I turned).....,
Original member of Strange African Tribe, drummer for Subject
to Change, Dinner With the Monks, and now JOIA! Started
on Agogo Bell.... But recently has acquired and demonstrated
great skills on Surdo...filling the void left by Surdo Master
Bradley who is suffering from a chronic back injury. Bill was
one of the Surdo players on our CD NINTH & GEYER (JOIA}
2002.
Name: Lauren Markow JOIA PLUS
From: Saint Louis, Missouri
Occupation: Owner/Producer of Up All Night Productions
Ms. Markow began her percussion career at the age of four as a head-banger
in response to repeated attempts by her parents to steer her attention
away from drums and drumming and in the direction of more feminine
musical instruments such as the flute and the cello. These efforts
failed as young Lauren was often observed using both the flute and
cello bow as drumsticks.
Self-taught on her first drum kit at the ripe age of twelve,
Ms. Markow then founded an all female Beatles cover band called
The Ticks..."Let freedom Ringo-o!" She has
studied West African drumming with Jason Dodson. Under the electronic
tutelage (vis a vis instructional video) of Airto Moreira, Ignacio
Berroa and Luis Conte, she has studied a variety of Latin percussion.
Ms Markow has been singing professionally for over 20 years and nonprofessionally
all her life. As a member of JOIA, she is currently one-Hell-of-a-Bell-Banger
on The Beloved A-Go Go Bell and sometime Surdo player...."Not
Bad" for a Broad!" according to JOIA Master Beater Bradley......Lauren
was a bell player and major mover & shaker (no pun intended) in the
production of the CD NINTH & GEYER (JOIA} 2002..
Name: Karen Nowak
JOIA PLUS
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Day Job: Computer Stuff
Karen has been with JOIA since this century has begun. She has shown
tremendous enthusiasm for being there. She began her formal training
in the percussive arts in 1995 with hand drums. She has studied
Jembe with Adam Rugo, experienced workshops with Paulo Matiolli, Mamade
Keta, and Ubakka Hill. She was drawn to the Tamborim with its penetrating,
piercing power. Since using the all-new custom-designed Bradley
Wacker she has taken the instrument to a new level.
Once she knows the details of a gig, get out of her way!!!
Name: Mimi Hubert JOIA PLUS
From: Born on a mountain top in Tennesse
Day Job: Something DownTown (may be subject to attorney-client
privilege)
Mimi was drawn into JOIA after witnessing the band's hypnotic and sensual rhythms at many street fairs, art happenings and the mystic New Year's sunrise service. A/K/A the Ganza Goddess - she moves and grooves to the beats of the band and really shakes that 'thang'. A single mom of grown children, this flower child/old hippie loves to dance, get birthday tattoos (to shock her children), make beaded jewelry, work with teens (she's a devoted Unitarian/Buddhist/Humanist), and healing through feeling. Mimi can be easily spotted in a crowd by her wildly colored sarongs, face jewels and ankle bells (plus butterfly wings for special occasions). Her passions are helping teens with depression and her black cat, Onyx. A background in ballet, jazz, guitar, singing and theatre (and a zest for the unusual) brings Mimi into the JOIA family circle.
Name: Benjy No biographical sketch
at this time. JOIA PLUS
Name: Sky Kingsland. JOIA
PLUS
From: Around Saint Louis
Day Job: Drummer Guy
Sky Kingsland has been drumming for eleven years, and has studied West African
drumming for ten. He teaches West African Percussion at
Maryville University and St. Louis Community College, and well as privately.
He also works with youth through Springboard to Learning and
the Division of Youth Services for the State of Missouri.
He is a dance accompanist for Washington University Performing Arts, Coca, Atrek
Dance Company, and Rainbow Repertory Theatre.
Sky is the founder of the U. City Loop Drum Circle.
Name: Michelle Ries. No
biographical sketch at this time.
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