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JOY'S WORLD MUSIC BIO

Joy Krauthammer

Los Angeles, CA

 http://www.joys-music.blogspot.com/

Biography:

Joy Krauthammer, MBA, a percussionist for over two dozen years, also plays crystal & Tibetan singing bowls (which she carried back from Tibet). Playing singing bowls, she is a vessel for sharing a symphony of meditational vibrational healing sounds which reverberate through one's body for relaxation, meditation and for opening channels for flowing, allowing for more joy, love, unity, peace and harmony in our UniVerse.

Conscious connection of wholeness, healing and Oneness, in the Four Worlds of spirit, mind, heart and body, is Joy's musical kavannah / intention. Joy is inspired by the call to "Serve G*d in Joy" (Psalm 100:2) and believes that, "Joy breaks through all barriers." - The Lubavitch Rebbe

Joy plays African djembe, Middle-Eastern dumbek, frame drums, timbrels, small ethnic percussion, and crystal and Tibetan singing bowls at spiritual events, holidays, New Moon/Rosh Chodesh ceremonies, women's retreats and pre-Pesach seders, temples, rituals - mikveh, life-cycle ceremonies, yoga studios, art galleries, theaters, publication and peace parties, festivals, conferences, writing workshops, drum circles, and for personal individual and group healing meditations. On full moons Joy has served as Sound Healer for the inter-faith Spiritual Unity Movement.

Recently, Joy Krauthammer joyously played for the Healing Beat, Mid-Summer's Magickal Eve, Gaia Festival, REMO's Women's Drum Day, Mandala Peace Party, LA Women's Music Festival-- Divine Lotus Healing Tent, and at Elat Chayyim in the Berkshires, and the Aleph Kallah in New Mexico, with the Klezmer Orchestra, Neshama Musikats, and Jospel Choir. She was delighted to play with Shir Ecstasy in Oregon and Ohio. Playing for Greater LA's Hachnatsat Kallah benefit was a joy for joy. Joy is uplifted playing singing bowls with Azamra's Breslover Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum, and on djembe and timbrel enjoyed accompanying Jerusalem's Reb Sholom Brodt of Yeshivah Simchat Shlomo, and Young Israel's Farbrengans with Rabbis Nadler and Klein in their niggunim/ wordless melodies. As founder of Kindred Spirits, Joy brings an ensemble of 18 percussionists to play for spiritual gatherings.

For Jewish spiritual monthly events over the last decade, Joy accompanies cantorial soloist/guitarist, Cindy Paley at Lev Eisha, and N'Shama Minyan, and annually at Temple Judea and Shomrei Torah Synagogue. Joy loves serving in the Chassidic Orchestra for Valley Beth Shalom's memorial Farbrengens with conductors, Chris Hardin, and David Kamenir, accompanying Cantor Herschel Fox. Since its inception, Joy arranges multiple annual memorial concerts for Daniel Pearl World Music Days.

Joy especially loves playing timbrel for women dancing in freedom and praise, in the spirit of biblical sister, Miriyahm HaNeviah. Joy believes when sages say that we can "dance our way" into life and liberation. Playing for Jewish Women's Theatre is another favorite gig, as is the annual Wagner Women's  Winter Retreat, and through drumming, acknowledging International Women's Day.

In addition to drumming, Joy plays crystal and Tibetan singing bowls for Sounds of Joy ~ Sound Spa meditations at B'nai Horin, serving as percussionist since 1991, as well as at Makom Ohr Shalom and Lev Eisha since 1992. She plays singing bowls with her Open To Wonder band and many other spiritual groups. Joy served as sound healer for UCLArts and Healing Department, and the Healing Beat benefit.

Joy began her spiritual musical career accompanying legendary musicians Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z'l, and Rabbi David Zeller, z'l, as well as Babatunde Olatunji, all of blessed memory.

Although classically musically trained in piano, violin, and clarinet, and later in percussion including drum set, by dozens of world-music masters (and in music schools), Joy attributes her playing and "being played", to Hashgachah Pratit / Divine Providence. Exciting personal experiences have included exploring music throughout the world in her travels since a teenager, and learning from multi-cultural masters. Joy felt that she was a gesher / a  bridge (in the light of Reb Shlomo, z'l) when she learned and played during summers with Middle-Eastern Music and Dance Camp directed by world Arab faculty. Playing in (Palestinian) Nabil Assam's doumbek ensemble was a highlight.

Joy Krauthammer, a spiritual woman loving the color purple, is a visual artist, passionate performing percussionist, poet, Joyous Chai Lights publisher, photographer, artist of life, spiritual guide, sound healer, student of Torah, and Kabbalah workshop leader, and gardener living in Porter Ranch, CA, USA, UniVerse.

View Joy's COMPLETE PROFILE on top left for her musical sites.
http://www.timbrelsofjoy.blogspot.com/
www.healingsoundsofjoy.blogspot.com
www.joys-music.blogspot.com
http://www.joyshakers.blogspot.com/
http://www.thekindredspirits.blogspot.com/

To book Joy for your next event, write a confidential COMMENT in the Comment space below and/or write Joyofwisdom1 @ gmail.com. 
(delete the spaces in address.)

Joy Krauthammer plays WOMAN gong and Tibetan singing bowls

House of the Book

© Dali

Shared thoughts:

Playing intuitively from her heart and soul, "Joy's music is part of the universal song to the One Creator, Source of All Life."
- Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen, Jerusalem, Israel, Author, "The Universal Jew"


"Joy, a woman with a deep soul" is playing for the congregations to help bring them to praise the Source of All Blessings. "Joy has a faith gene and her soul resonates with the beauty in all the places she goes to."
- Roberto Loiederman, LA Jewish Journal


Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l, naming Joy--'Tzohara', translated Joy's Hebrew name, Gila Rena Tzohara, as 'Double Joy and Light.'
"Joy, Gila Rena Tzohara, is Mamash Gevaldt; 'Double Joy and Light', my sweetest percussionist and holy sister. You will always be my drummer." (When given her new name by Reb Shlomo, Shabbat Pekudei 5754)

"The holiest part of your body are your hands because they reach the highest."
 Holy brother, legendary composer, singer, the "dancing rebbe", recording artist, guitarist, Torah scholar.
- Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l, of blessed memory

Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi named Joy--Rena, the 'joy of song'.
"Many recite the words from Psalm 150, 'Praise God with the Drums ...'. I know only a few people who really drum for God's sake; Joy Krauthammer is among the first of them."
- Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder Aleph, Jewish Renewal,
       "Co-author, "Jewish With Feeling"


Joy's first Lubavitcher Chabad Rabbi Eli Hecht (after her meeting the Rebbe), named her Gila, for 'rejoicing', as in the blessing/sheva bruchas for the bride and groom.

"Joy uplifts the spirit through her ecstatic drumming and timbrels as she plays for the Glory of G*d. A Jewish woman, with her heart as wide as the ocean, Joy cares deeply about her People and all of humanity."
- Reb Hesha Abrams, Dallas, Texas


"Joy Krauthammer has added her skillful percussion and her exuberance to my Shir Ecstasy, Jospel workshops at both Kallah and Ruach HaAretz concerts, helping the choir to reach ecstatic heights."
- Sharon Alexander, Director, Shir Ecstasy Jospel Choir
 "Joy weaves spiritual depth, world rhythms, and powerful healing into each musical journey. She can rattle you into healing or deep self realization. Enjoy the rhythm!"
- Christine Stevens, Director, REMO Drum's Health Rhythms; author, Healing Drum Kit


"Joy is a consummate musician and has a profound passion and energy for her work. When Joy brings in her percussion instruments and participates for the last nine years in our Lev Eisha women's services, she adds layers of spirituality, joy and fun.
"Her music, and presence adds a deep abiding spiritual dimension to our service.
"Joy's playing, and her ecstatic spirit and joyous personality add so much to Lev Eisha, and we would not be the same without her. Always reliable, she is consistently adding energy to our prayers enabling us to dance and sing at all our services. We love joy."
- Rabbi Toba August, Lev Eisha, Adat Shalom. Academy of Jewish Religion, LA.


"Joy performed a heart opening/awakening, and ethereal piece on Tibetan and crystal singing bowls. My heart chakra was activated and it was deeply moving. Joy is an eclectic mix of gypsy, faery, and angel, and her music shimmers just like her lavender, gold-speckled scarves."
- Kris Oster, Producer, Gaia Festival


"Your drum beat is like a heart beat and excitement; when you are playing, I feel like it is you enveloping all of us in your loving arms.
"You radiate warmth and love and make others feel so comfortable. Thank you for being your beautiful soulful self. You are a precious being."
- Debbie Friedman, acclaimed singer, composer
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Joy Krauthammer

A&B wedding, SS Wise Temple

© Louis Raynor

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Joy Krauthammer

Makom Ohr Shalom

© Mark Reden

Joy Krauthammer

Hachnasat Kallah

© Daryl Tempkin

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Joy Krauthammer

Metivta meditation circle, piyutim/song fest

© Aviv Russ

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Joy Krauthammer

plays for Bat Mitzvah

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Joy Krauthammer

Women's pre-Pesach Seder

Joy Krauthammer ~ drum kit blues

Joy's WOMAN gong
© Joy Krauthammer

.Joy Krauthammer, percussionist & Cindy Paley, cantorial soloist

collage of last decade

with Rabbi Toba August, Rabbi Lynn Kerne, Mollie Wine

Hachnasat Kallah LA band, led by Rina Adlerstein, pianist

© Daryl Tempkin

First women's percussion band formed by Joy Krauthammer

Timbrels of Miriam women's conference

University of Judaism, LA 1992

R-L  Joy Krauthammer, Suzanne Roth (Ariel Levy), Linda Hirschhorn, Gail, Sharona, Mark Kurganov (Russian immigrant guitarist)

Kindred Spirits

Joy Krauthammer, founder

18 member percussion band

© Mark Reden

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Open to Wonder band, American Jewish University

Joy Krauthammer (founder), Ian Kroop, Tia Cohen, K'vod Wieder, Phil Bell

© Chana Bell

Makom Ohr Shalom

Rabbi/Cantor Monty Turner, choir, Joy Krauthammer-percussion

© Mark Reden

Musicat  Neshamahs

Cantor Martin & Sheri Levson, Skee Raskin, Joy Krauthammer

Midnight Cafe, Albuquerque, New Mexico

B'nai Horin Band

House of the Book, Brandeis Bardin
Stephen L. Fiske, Joy Krauthammer, Alula, Cantor Marc Bachrach
© Leslie Goldman

http://www.bnaihorin.com/about-us/musicians/

B'nai Horin House Band
Richard Hardy, Joy Krauthammer, Stephanie Valadez, David Zasloff
© Leslie Goldman

Wedding ~ Sandy Lessner, Steve Berman

Joy Krauthammer, Steve Berman, Alula

© Sherry Gold

Joy Krauthammer, percussionist

Abraham Joshua Heschel School
© Ian Kroop

Percussion Is My Passion

  - Joy Krauthammer  - April 2011

At the end of Shabbat services, where I serve spiritual communities as world-beat hand percussionist, people ask me questions: How long have I been drumming? What kind of drum is the big one? Did I go to music school? How did I become a drummer? How do I do it? The last is my favorite.

I love these telling questions because I love it that people are interested, and appreciate my music with its subtleties and expansiveness. I love to share my story, one of visions, Hashgachah Pratit / Divine Providence, and of a joyous, passionate Jewish woman drummer.

I share with people that I play with joy for them--because I receive their joyous soulful energy that circulates; I feel that and it excites me. Accompanying cantors, singers, dancers and rabbis brings out the rhythmic best in my music. More of that truth is that I connect with the Source of All BlesSings, and to Miriyahm HaNeviah, biblical timbrel player. I have gratitude, and become a vessel for Hashem’s music. I am ‘played’ by the Holy One. I am inspired to “Serve G*d in Joy”. (Psalm 100:2)  My kavanah / intention is knowing that my ‘Sounds of Joy’-- the gift that G*d gave to me, can assist neshamahs / souls to lift their tehilim / prayers to the Divine One; as a dance going up, and for a shefa / abunDance of conscious connection with healing and wholeness, to come down through the Kabbalistic Four Worlds of Spirit, Mind, Heart and Body.

To be ethereal was my yearning when I asked the Creator to give me a drum—naively thinking that music would not take the great physical space that my own ceramics work had occupied. (That's an oxymoron for a percussionist. I'm learning to be ethereal.)

Many vessels of sound I play were designed (some customized to my desire) by my renowned international teachers, were purchased during world travels, or were inherited from my mother, z’l. My instruments that I lovingly play, stroke and caress (not “beat” or “bang”) with my hands or mallets include large wood and skin African djembe, Middle-Eastern metal, vegetarian synthetic, or ceramic dumbeks, frame drums, and (Remo) timbrels (riqs) with heavy metal brass (or other alloys) jingles, seed jingles, cymbals, ting shas (hand cymbals), chimes (72 double row, and energy chimes), triangle, and such ‘small’ hand-made, ethnic traditional percussion as ethnic bells, rattles (chajchas, kpoko-kpoko, seeds, Buffalo rawhide), shakers (natural woven caxixi, gourd gita, and metal and plastic, shekeres, axatse), scrapers (guiros), clave, and mu yu (slit drum). 


For meditative and healing moments, I play organic rain sticks, ocean drums, gongs, Asian bells, and crystal and Tibetan singing bowls tuned to lev / heart chakra.

For the last decade, I mamash / truly have loved playing percussion for Lev Eisha / Heart of Woman women and men at our gevaldt / awesome Shabbat services where Shechinah dwells. I have been drumming over a couple dozen years, through both challenges and simchas.  The secret? This eisha / woman plays with her lev.

BlesSings for Sounds of Joy,

Joy Krauthammer

 This story is published in  http://www.leveisha.org/archive/latest.htm

For a more fully illustrated magical musical story with my responses, please read:

www.joys-music.blogspot.com , www.timbrelsofjoy.blogspot.com , www.healingsoundsofjoy.blogspot.com ,  and www.joyshakers.blogspot.com , http://rebshlomocarlebach-ztl.blogspot.com/

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It Was 20 Years Ago Today...

by Joy Krauthammer   - September 2006

It was 20 years ago today...

In September 1986, I began my University of Judaism, MBA graduate program, and immediately knew that I needed also to use the other side of my brain. So, the same week as I began my MBA, I studied "Black and White Photo" developing, and also began drum lessons.

Since the sixties, I was always having crushes on drummers, like Ringo Starr, and finally realized that it was the drums that I was interested in. In 1986 my lessons were on drum kit with a teenager, in his bedroom with all his personal things scattered across the floor, obstacles that I had to step over. With Divine guidance manifesting dreams, for the last 20 years I studied weekly lessons with the world's master drummers and percussionists. It has been a joy.

As you may know, mamash / truly, the deepest gevult / awesome blessing for me in the 20 years was being Reb Shlomo Carlebach's zt"l percussionist, and playing with magnificent musicians at many minyans and shuls. Presently, I am playing Jewish music with gifted musicians at my beloved Lev Eisha, Makom Ohr Shalom, B'nai Horin, Valley Beth Shalom, Sarah's Tent and anywhere else that I am asked to play.

I am celebrating these meaningful 20 years as my simcha / joyous occasion. I am commemorating the beginning of my 6th year as percussionist at Lev Eisha, LA's women's synagogue.

I don't always find G*d in silence and stillness, but in notes from heaven, and where I let G*d in.
My plan is for another twenty years of drumming with a band, and using both sides of my brain.
I bless you all to have the deepest and highest delight in your simchas.

One love, shalom and abundant blessings of health and joy to you,
Joy Krauthammer, MBA

Serve G*d With Joy

"Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha"

PS

Over a dozen years ago (after Reb Shlomo, z'l, had invited me to come and play with him during his 69th birthday, at the Kings Palace, Morocco), I (Joy Krauthammer) went to the World Sacred Music Festival in Fez, and explored the Jewish medinas, and played and danced with the Sufis, Berbers, Taureqs/Blue men and Gnawa musicians through the star-filled nights, especially in the Sahara by the sand dunes where I journeyed with my rented camel.  My musical simcha was filmed and a video is available. I brought back a suitcase of timbrels & memories. You may see me with my Moroccan frame drums when I play. I loved being Tzohara in the Sahara with Zahara henna painting me for my birthday. 

Most amazing to me was that my Moroccan Arab musician tour guide, Hamid Mernissi, was the grandson of his "maternal Jewish grandmother, Sarah." Shh. I had the chutzpah to ask him if he had any Jewish relatives... and that was his answer.

Quotes

"Music has the unique ability to bring a person closer to HaShem. Although Torah, writings, and seforim are indeed very valuable, it is precisely because we are accustomed to them that they might not always arouse our emotions. That is why we need music."

- The Modzhitzer Rebbe, zt'l - Sefer Torah Tavlin

“...And the way to sing the song of joy is by seeking the good in all people, especially in our selves. Each good point is one more note in the song of life."

 - Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

- Plato

“Where I come from we say that rhythm is the soul of life, because the whole universe revolves around rhythm, and when we get out of rhythm, that's when we get into trouble. For this reason the drum, next to the human voice, is our most important Instrument.  It is special.”  

 - Babatunde Olatunji


 "Through dancing you awaken joy," and "Through holy music you can come to the level of prophecy. For the essence of D’vekut / cleaving with G*d is through melody."

- Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

 

"Through music you can reach joy and d’vekut with the Infinite One."

- The Baal Shem Tov
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Joy Krauthammer

at REMO RMC

© Jerry Zacarias

Parking Sign for Drummer Joy
© Joy Krauthammer

Auto License Plate: (Miri)YAHM praising YAH (YY = community arms outstretched), in JOY, 

crossing the YAHM/sea with timbrels in her hand

License Frame: "Bruchot Habaot Tachat Kanfei HaShechina"

(singing to the tune of Debbie Friedman's, z'l, prayer, and Miriam's Song)

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON IN JOYOUS SONG

photos of Joy Krauthammer playing djembe, Tibetan singing bowls, timbrel, and shakers

Top photo: Jewish Women's Theatre (c) Deborah Alexander

 © by Deborah Alexander (top), Dali, Louis Raynor, Mark Reden, Aviv Russ, Ian Kroop, Daryl Tempkin,  Chana Bell, Leslie Goldman, Sherry Gold, Ian Kroop, Jerry Zacarias

Parking sign by Robin Winston and Lev Eisha

I feel like I won the Oscar with my reserved parking sign.

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