Today we’d like to introduce you to William BJ Robinson.
William BJ, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Black & Puerto Rican Queer Artist, Educator, and Musician. I’m also a bit of a workaholic. I sometimes describe myself as a modern day Renaissance person. I was always very drawn to various styles of music. Music always made sense to me in any and every situation. As a child, I preferred listening to the radio over watching TV. I have always said, and still do say, “Life has a soundtrack; listen to it.”
I started singing in church concerts when I was growing up. I eventually got into piano lessons, then flute lessons, and then it was onto stage performance. From summer musicals to school talent shows, I was a music man as soon as I could spell it. I participated in concert bands, show choirs, marching band, audition choirs, and jazz bands through middle and high school. Ultimately, I chose the voice as my focused instrument in college. I studied composition, education, and performance; I wanted to do it all, with a touch of conducting and directing (there were no full undergrad programs at the time available for music director nor conducting).
I moved to San Diego in 2009. At first, I was working at Sears in Chula Vista and taking music classes at Southwestern Community College. I became a volunteer teaching assistant-then a paid one-and over time, I got to understand myself as an accompanist, arranger, conductor, curriculum writer, educator, and movement coach. I worked with amazing colleagues who helped me craft my personal pedagogy and open my own voice studio. I’ve worked with multiple communities of faith, community & professional theater organizations, non-profits, and schools throughout San Diego. For the last five years, I’ve hosted ‘KPBS/arts’ on KPBS. Just before the onset of the pandemic, I earned my Actors Equity Association card. In June 2020, I created a web-based platform called ‘Tough Talk’ that focuses on conversations that help people “get comfortable with the uncomfortable”; and since last November, I have served as Choir Director at Christ United Presbyterian Church in South Park.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been a long road with varying textures. Childhood was fairly smooth because I was less bothered by external opinions. Adolescence felt like an unpaved road, but it also a bit of a thrilling rollercoaster. Then for about 15 years or so, smooth tended to last only as long as afternoon sunshine.
When people started seeing me as an adult, everything shifted. I was always too this or too that. Too immature or too smart. Too old or too young. Too loud or too quiet. Too Black or too White. I tried to let go of letting others’ impressions of me define me when I moved to California. Spoiler alert: other people’s behavior will always be out of your control. I’ve had colleagues suggest I don’t teach certain songs or explore certain genres of music. I’ve had bosses tell me to change how I dress or style my hair. I’ve been told in San Diego that I’m not ambitious enough, not Black enough, not experienced enough, not Gay enough, not humbled enough, not hungry enough, not nice enough, and not old enough. In 2020, I affirmed that enough is enough. Now, I just mostly walk on the grass, beat my own drum with one hand while playing keys with the other, and sing my own song as I please in a tie-dye cloak.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I basically get to work in 3-5 genres of music almost daily, and I could not be more grateful to make a living this way. There’s a sort of social stigma that musicians work in specific, concentrated styles of music, and you have to do so in order to be good enough at what you do (another case of ‘enough’). I proudly demonstrate breaking that stigma. I have students learning classical music, show tunes, theory fundamentals, fan-fictional parodies, collegiate choral music, and jazz; and that’s just between 3 students in one day of teaching.
My primary goal in all of my work is to further someone’s education and/or inspiration. I want people to learn by understanding multiple components involved in any music making process, not just learning for the sake of getting something right enough. For example, when I taught at Southwestern College, I made sure that multiple students had the opportunity to play multiple roles in a performance class. I didn’t want people to focus on just getting a single part; I wanted them to know how different parts, big and small, add to entire presentation and production.
It’s another way of trying to implement equity into my work. There isn’t just one standard on who can fill a role; give the same opportunity to as many people who want it as you can.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m so thankful to my colleagues at Southwestern College: Terry Russell, Tracy Burklund, Cynthia McGregor, Jeff Nevin, Jorge Pastrana, and Ruff Yeager; as well as David Castel de Oro and Barbara Schroeder. They helped me grow through 7 years of wonderful artistic work!
I’ve had such tremendous support from many parents & families of students, too. Special shoutout to Nina Garin of Pacific San Diego Magazine; she connected me from teaching at the JCC in La Jolla to hosting for KPBS!
I’m so grateful to my family, who has always supported me in becoming the wacky, artsy person I’ve bloomed into. Mom, dad, Isabel, Willie, Kimberly, Aubrey, Chance, and Quay, you all rock!
I also want to thank the William Male Foundation for seeing me, hearing me, and giving me a financial lift during this pandemic. They really helped me to elevate my pedagogy and platforms.
I’ve had the fortune of meeting a few incredible artists over the past few years that have been the best collaborators: Luis Aragon, Kevin Blax Burroughs, Ciarlene Coleman, Alyssa Junious, and Wilfred Paloma!
And, I have an amazing partner who has always seen me for who I am. He’s half of my heart. Thank you, Sean Edward Mulcahy for everything you are.
Pricing:
- Private Voice Coaching & Lessons: $45-65 (30 minutes to 1 hour)
Contact Info:
- Email: toughtalk.willbjrob@gmail.com, willbjrob@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willbjrob/
https://www.instagram.com/tough.talk2020/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willbjrob/
https://www.facebook.com/Tough.Talk2020
https://www.facebook.com/elstudiodelbj - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dapplsprez
- Other: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLJANhQ_mZFlMPg2vwmInrRozVs8j_uUI
Image Credits
Rich Soublet Photogtaphy (b/w photo) K.C. Alred (hoodie/BLM photo) Michael Taylor (greenscreen photos) Sydney Valiente (Pride photo)
