Today we’d like to introduce you to Amilyah Robinson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey and passion for music started way back when I was little. I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, in a family where music and community were a central part of our lives. From a young age, Sundays at church were a musical and spiritual sanctuary where I played the piano, sang in the gospel choir, danced on the praise team, and helped program children’s church plays. These early experiences fostered my musical creativity and leadership, teaching me how to express myself, work with others and build confidence.
At age 6, I started teaching myself to play the piano by ear, inspired by my dad who was both the keyboardist and pastor at our church. We had this old upright Yamaha piano in our living room, and it had demo songs of classical piano pieces by Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and more. I loved how they sounded and I would spend hours messing with the recordings, trying to figure out how to play them myself. One day, my parents came downstairs and were surprised to hear that it was no longer the piano playing the demos, but me.
My family never went to orchestra concerts or listened to classical music at home as it wasn’t a part of our cultural heritage, so my first exposure to classical orchestral music was through Disney. I remember watching DVDs of Disney’s Fantasia and feeling like it was magic. Witnessing classical music pieces paired with the beautiful animations just hit different and opened my eyes to a whole new world of artistry.
My development as a musician, leader, and community builder really took shape during my school years. It all started with percussion in elementary school, when I was introduced to smaller mallet instruments through the Orff ensemble, which sparked my passion for percussion. Participating in school plays and music performances helped me become comfortable with live performance. In middle school, I joined concert and jazz bands. At the time, I was only familiar with piano because I had one at home, but I hadn’t learned much sight-reading. My band teacher saw potential in me and encouraged me to take percussion and private lessons, introducing me to new instruments and techniques. When I was introduced to the marimba, I immediately fell in love with it. Even without formal training, I knew I had to get better, so I started taking lessons with a woman who showed me the importance of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and confidence—especially because women percussionists are still underrepresented in leadership roles. I also served as president of Beta Club and ran track and field, which taught me discipline and service-based leadership that directly influenced my growth as both a performer and a leader.
Throughout my K-12 years, my dad would host community concerts in his hometown Eatonville, Florida the first historically Black municipality in the U.S. I played in some of these concerts, and when I wasn’t performing, I helped with the community activities that were going on at the same time in the park. We would perform at the historic Zora Neale Hurston Festival and MLK Day concerts, which showed me early on how powerful it is to be present in your community and spread joy through music.
In high school. I continued music, track and field, and college-level advanced classes which was tough but rewarding. My weekends were filled with playing in the drumline at football games, doing music competitions and auditions, 14-hour Saturday track meets, Sunday afternoon rehearsals with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, local concerts and studying. I would literally eat lunch during math class so I could use my actual lunch hour to focus on homework or practice. This commitment taught me discipline, responsibility, and how to handle pressure—skills that continued to serve me in college.
I attended the University of Miami, majoring in Percussion Performance and minoring in Business Sustainability. During my time there, I was involved in numerous chamber and large ensembles, performing and rehearsing every week. I also took on leadership roles, like leading the Black Musicians Caucus (BMC) and building community partnerships with programs like the Nu Deco Ensemble’s Access program. I hosted premier showcase performances in Gusman Concert Hall and at the Pinecrest Gardens Banyan Bowl Theater, organized events with the university’s Multicultural Student Affairs Office, and was a bandleader for the BMC’s performance at the annual Students of Culture Symposium. I also worked with organizations like the Adrienne Arsht Center and Black Collegiate Musicians non-profit to promote diversity in the arts and create more opportunities for our members.
On top of that, I spearheaded a professional trip to the Sphinx Connect conference in Detroit and hosted community events with groups like the National Council of Negro Women and the D-9 Black fraternities and sororities on campus. Even with a demanding role within the BMC, I managed credit-heavy semesters, chamber music, private lessons with two teachers, business courses, and two jobs. What kept me going was knowing I was setting myself up for success and creating opportunities. I knew what kind of experiences I wanted in college, and I was determined to pursue them. There were so many great resources at my disposal, and I made sure to take full advantage of them.
Now, I live and work in arts administration in New York City at Juilliard. The city’s energy really encourages you to be yourself and stay authentic. My experiences in Florida prepared me for this new chapter, and I’m grateful for the journey that’s shaped me into a multidisciplinary, passionate person who’s all about learning, growth, and making an impact. The best part is, I’m just getting started. I hope one day I can lead my own arts organization. All these experiences—music, leadership, community engagement, event planning, and business—are connected, and they’ve all helped make me who I am today. I see myself as someone always looking for new opportunities to learn, grow, and truly make an impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has had its share of bumps in the road. That being said, I’m deeply grateful for the support and opportunities that have shaped me along the way. I see myself as resourceful and bold, and I’ve learned to view setbacks as opportunities to problem-solve and grow.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, I grew uncertain about pursuing a career in the music industry, especially with the anxiety surrounding the state of the world, finances, and my health. I was also taking all my classes online and didn’t have the space or percussion instruments at home to practice and record for college auditions. But I didn’t let that stop me. I reached out to practically every school in my county to see if I could use their percussion instruments after school hours. An incredible director not only allowed me to practice after school but also helped me with my virtual audition in their band room, which was equipped with great audio and video gear. That support made all the difference, helping me secure a college scholarship and opening doors I never imagined.
Throughout my journey, I’ve also faced grief, racial discrimination, disappointment, and hardships. These experiences have shaped who I am today, and I’ve always pushed through them with a “mind over matter” mindset, which I partly developed through my intense athletic training. It takes a lot of thick skin and resilience to thrive in environments where you’re often a trailblazer or the only Black person in the room. That’s why I try to take care of my mental health, give myself some grace and intentionally surround myself with a strong support system outside of those spaces so I can continue to show up every day. My work is not only my passion but also my legacy. That’s why I stay committed to excellence in everything I do, but I also put a lot of effort into giving back and creating spaces where Black artists, musicians, and creatives can see themselves reflected and supported.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
That really depends on the day. I’m a multi-disciplined girl; an arts administrator, percussionist, strategist, and community-driven leader. But I think what sets me apart is my ability to make something out of nothing. Knowing how to go from having very little resources to creating a magical outcome. That resilience, adaptability and creativity comes from my roots. Black folks in this country have always had to find ways to thrive despite generations of systemic adversity, and I carry that spirit with me. I’ve always been a self-starter and a go-getter, and I bring that same energy into my work today. Whether it’s improving systems, programs, or experiences, I’m known by my peers for being a visionary who is inspired by my passion for connecting with others through music, arts, and culture.
One of my recent proud moments was graduating college and taking the leap to move to my dream city, New York and work in music. Not only that but I moved to Harlem, with Black excellence on every block. So many Black owned businesses, restaurants and music clubs really made me feel like I belonged here in another life. As a kid, I also always wanted to live, perform and work in New York, so now it feels like a full circle moment because now I’ve done all three. Working at The Juilliard School and contributing to a growing community engagement program has also been an eye-opening experience. Being right next to Lincoln Center, surrounded by incredible artists from around the world, showed me the real power of arts for culture and community. It also strengthened my conviction that we need community now more than ever, and not the cliquey or exclusive kind. The kind of community spaces that invite all walks of life, experiences, ages, and races to come together. Working behind the scenes in arts administration for the first time revealed some of the challenges in the field that I didn’t always see when I was a student. Things like financial limitations, institutional barriers, accessibility issues, and the ongoing tension between values of tradition vs. innovation. In just nine months, I helped manage around 300 performances at 52 community locations across all five boroughs. I also coached ensembles in music, dance, and drama on making their performances more accessible for older adult audiences which was another full circle moment for me. As a kid, my aunt and grandma were in nursing homes, and my mom used to take me to perform for their communities. I kept doing it because I saw how much joy it brought to people who might not have the chance to attend a concert otherwise. Now at Juilliard, I help students share their artistry in those spaces, continuing that cycle of giving back and encouraging them to experiment and adapt in performances that aren’t always traditional concert halls.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One childhood memory I’ll never forget is winning the Disney Dreamer and Doer Award and then getting to spend a whole day at Disney World with my family. At the time, I didn’t think much of it—kept it to myself, honestly. But then, Disney sent me this beautiful medal in a velvet blue case along with my certificate and tickets. My mom found out when I brought it home from school. I was just about nine years old, nominated by my English teacher after I wrote a powerful essay about my passion for making a positive impact in my community. That trip was unforgettable. I remember watching the Fantasmic! show and hearing some of the music from Disney’s Fantasia. I even met some of my favorite Disney princesses. I was that little girl in plastic Y2K Disney heels with princess faces on them (some things never change because I still love fashion and wearing heels today). We stayed at the park until they kicked us out at 1 a.m. the next day. For me, that day wasn’t just about the award. It was one of the rare times I got to spend quality time with all my family at once.
I have 3 sisters and I feel most like myself when we’re together. We’re always the most silly and carefree when we’re with each other, and I love being around people I can laugh with. Despite the age gaps and us not always being in the same schools together, my sisters have played a huge part in shaping who I am. I learn something new from each of them every day and they encourage me to dream big. Even now, with us spread across different parts of the country, we stay connected through calls and texts, always celebrating each other’s wins or cracking jokes. Family and God are at the heart of everything I do; they keep me grounded and remind me of what truly matters.
Pricing:
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Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amilyah-robinson/
- Other: Email: robinsonamilyah@gmail.com
