The Hackley community knows Josh Greenzeig from his spectacular Coffeehouse performances, but there is so much more to his passion for music and rhythm under the surface. At just nine years old, Josh started playing the drums. He had brief careers with the guitar, tuba, and piano, but fell in love with the drums. When he joined Hackley, he realized that drumming was his true passion.

Josh performed at Coffeehouse as a new student his freshman year. “I felt kind of nervous. I didn’t know very many people and I wasn’t confident,” he said, of this performance. However, to his delight, he received nothing but positive feedback from his classmates and teachers.

Ever since, he has been an active participant at Coffeehouse and a determined drummer. His persistence, hard work, and determination have gotten him so far in his Hackley music career.
Josh enjoys making everything his own. “There is something good in everything,” said Josh. He especially likes jazz and funk music because “it’s fun to play.”

Kamasi Washington is one of Josh’s favorite musicians. He aspires to be like him one day. “His music speaks to me in a very special way. He isn’t afraid to push boundaries and he is willing to try new ideas and concepts,” said Josh.

Josh enjoys making his own music, but he also enjoys sharing his skills with others through teaching. Josh teaches fourth grader Daniel Paridis, among other students. Senior Jessie Paridis, Daniel’s sister, praised Josh’s teaching skills. “Ever since he started with my brother, about a year ago, Daniel
has become so much better and has a bigger passion for drumming. Josh has exposed him to a lot of different types of music,” said Jessie.

Josh thinks that drumming is a great way for him to express himself when words just aren’t there. “No matter how I’m feeling or what I’m doing I can express myself through drums and through rhythm.”
Josh’s friends and family are extremely influential in his life, and Hackley is a great community for musicians. “It’s really nice to have something that you enjoy and it’s even better to have people to enjoy it with. At a place like Hackley, I found so many people who not only enjoy what I do, but push me to continue to do it,” said Josh.

Josh has been working on his own recordings at Hackley with Hackley teachers, and recently uploaded his first single to YouTube and Facebook. His single is called “Tell Me Something Good.” He received very positive feedback from his family, peers, and teachers, all of whom are looking forward to hearing more of his music as he continues to improve.