We Are Legend: Facilitators

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Lead Drum Circle Facilitator, Brian K. Johnson, Sr., is a Percussionist apprenticed under Master Drummer, Grammy Award Winner, Elder Robert Kenyatta, and veteran drummer, Paul Simmons. Mr. Johnson is also the owner of  parent company Herban Legend LLC, a social conscious company, that was the philosophical outlet within the Galloway Township, community of New Jersey for over a decade. Intermittently, he has performed, professionally, for over thirty years. His desire to bring a stronger presence of drumming, (percussion, in general), and to introduce its positive potentials,  has forged great relationships, with conversations that had insisted the further development of his professional service, Legend Drum Circles, (the DBA of Herban Legend LLC). 

Mr. Johnson, Sr. is retired from the Pleasantville, NJ Fire Department (PFD) at the rank of Deputy Chief. He is also a retired public school educator, and an author Trade Articles, blogs & poetry.  

Mr. Johnson has conducted corporate motivational workshops using drumming as a fundamental cohesive element to demonstrate the true power of constructive, individual and collective input. He has been a promoter of events of human inspiration for over 15 years, and an advocate for positive individual & collective transformation. He currently holds a Therapeutic Behavioral Assistant Certification (from the State of New Jersey), as well, and utilizes the benefits of this learning within the creative building up of greater, compassionate & inclusive communities.

Mr. Johnson began publishing his own sentiment/art works through his first company, The DoodleMan Writes Publications (DMWP) founded in 1997. He folded DMWP in the early 2000’s and began publishing again with his first book of poetry, "Mountains Moved" in 2012 under the company's restructured name,

 Brian Johnson Publishing (brianjohnsonpublishing.com). another division of Herban Legend, LLC.

Following his retirement from the PFD, he began working in his  family's "brick & mortar" boutique, Herban Legend (The Company), learning and applying the deeper philosophical morals of proper and fair retail trading. It was during this time that Mr. Johnson also sought to return to his percussion roots, and began to organize community drum circles sponsored by The Company.

Mr. Johnson attended Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, NJ., and subsequently graduated from Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA with a BA, with focuses on World Religion, Philosophy & Music. 

Robert Kenyatta performs as a musician, works as a therapist and most importantly, touches the lives of hundreds of local students as a teacher. He started out by "playing on his mother’s oatmeal boxes and graduated to her pots & pans". Even then he noticed that each pot had its own sound, its own voice. Mr. Kenyatta bought his first real Conga drum at age 12 with money he earned taking used bottles back to the store to be exchanged for money. He continued to learn by listening to Latino & Jazz stations on the radio & sitting-in with different bands. Mr. Kenyatta played the penny whistle, eventually receiving a grant from Model Cities to study the flute, harmony & theory at the Philadelphia Music Academy, and eventually became sought after studio musician.

Mr. Kenyatta has worked with such musicians as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wilson Pickett, The Beach Boys, Johnny Hartman, The O’Jays, Ruth Brown, Billy Paul, The Intruders...Herbie Mann, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and a host of others.

He is a celebrated drummer and a popular teacher at the Philadelphia Arts & Education Partnership (PAEP). He recently re-united with The Beach Boys for a special Governor’s Event. And, released his first solo album, Kenyatta’s Dance: A Tribute To Mom & Dad.

I am delighted to share my knowledge of traditional rhythms from Africa and the African diaspora...
I have studied and played the congas and various percussion for over twenty-five years under the mentoring of Sanga Francis, Robert Kenyatta, Orlando Fiol and more...
My approach when facilitating drum circles and workshops is to find the balance between the science and the spirit of drumming. It is a joy to help people experience the therapeutic qualities of drumming while discovering their individual voice on the drum. 

~Paul Simmons-

In Her Memory, we will continue to Honor here, my very good friend, and 

"Drum-Circle-Partner-In Crime",

Ms. Christine Hopkins.

Christine Hopkins was blessed to begin learning drumming in the Yoruba tradition from Baba Olatunji’s djunjun player, Gordy Ryan in New York City in the 1980’s. In the 90’s she studied Mandinka Hamanah traditional West African drumming with Tyler Richart in Seattle for several years. Played duns and djembe accompaniment every week for four years with One World Dance & Drum supporting Sarah Lee Parker’s dance teaching. She facilitated the community drum circle at the Women of Wisdom Foundation’s annual national conference for several years, where she performed for conference participants with Ubaka Hill and also Nicki Scully. She co-led a women’s drumming group in Seattle that performed downtown at the annual Women’s March and played with Simone LaDrumma in the opening band at the Seattle Rhythm Festival. Back on the East Coast in the Philly area she was an innovative percussionist with acoustic avant garde jazz trio Round Angle Sound and recorded the CD “Path” with them. For the past several years she has co-facilitated the annual Rhythms of Life all day drum festival in Cape May. She has studied the wisdom of West African cultures and arts at New York University and knows drumming as a spiritual and healing path that offers great blessings and joy.

Marine Veteran, James Ryan has been drumming with Legend Drum Circles (LDC) for the last 8 years. Jim is an assistant facilitator at LCD's major Circle Events, and serves as agent, senior contract negotiator and assistant co-ordinator of the organization. 

In His memory, we will continue to honor, here, my Very Good Friend, and "Drum-Circle-Partner-in-Crime", 

Mister Conrad Kubiak: 

 Metaphysician, Conrad Kubiak, has been drumming for several decades, and is owner of Spirit In The Wood Company. He is a Master Drum Maker whose designs are inspired by instruments from West Africa & Latin America as well as Native American Shamanic Traditions. Ashikos, djembe’s, congas, batas, bombas, cajones, kit drums and the Aboriginal Didgeridoo are among the instruments Mr. Kubiak builds and plays.

In addition to drum-making & playing, Mr. Kubiak also works as a corporate consultant leading team building & motivational exercises during interactive seminars. As the facilitator of Drum Circles Ceremonies, and “White Moment Rhythm Workshops”, he develops outreach programs focusing on building communication, improving group dynamics and appreciating other cultures. Through participatory experience, “white moments are created (when the left & right hemispheres of the brain are synchronized), in which everything & everyone slows down.   

Kubiak draws on his background in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) as well as his work in the healing arts as a certified shiatsu therapist, reiki master, and feng shue practioner. 

Mr. Kubiak also presented a paper on the “Psychology of Rhythm” at the Creative Arts Therapies Conference in Philadelphia and led a drumming circle in Atlantic City for members of the theatrical group STOMP. He holds degrees in Irish Literature, Biology and Computer Electronics.,