Get to know an alum: Andrew Epstein ’07

Have you ever participated in a teambuilding event at your work? How about one where you were able to play music? Though it may be hard to imagine your office turning into a jam session and dance party, Brown alum Andrew Epstein has found a way to bring the joy of rhythm and music into the workplace, all while building essential teambuilding and leadership skills. Andrew’s new venture, RhythmIMPACT, is designed to “help organizations build successful teams and effective leaders through the universal language of rhythm.” As Andrew explains, “people in leadership positions and team environments tend to follow their habits, often struggling with group dynamics and their personal communication style.  They need to find new ways to communicate effectively and connect their staff, and I think RhythmIMPACT does this in
an exciting way.”

Using tools such as world percussion instruments, vocal and body language, and call-and-response techniques, participants practice creative means of communicating with and leading their team. For example, in one exercise, there is a designated leader whose goal is to create a musical arrangement, communicate the different parts to the respective members of the team, and conduct the team for accurate
rhythm and sequence. Any miscommunication or lapse in leading is recognized and addressed in real-time, as the music speaks for itself as to whether the instruments and rhythms are effectively working together. Such an exercise is not only fun and fosters team-bonding, but it also allows communication breakdowns to be addressed in a non-judgmental and objective environment.

Andrew’s love of music originally started by studying jazz piano, which he then composed and performed. His musical interest quickly grew to percussion as well, and he spent several months studying street percussion in Brazil. Growing up in the Bay Area, Andrew recognized the need for better music education in public schools. After getting his Masters in the Art of Teaching at Brown in ’07, he brought back what he learned to New York City’s Seward Park High School, where headed up a new music program for its inner city students that encouraged musical performance and composition. As adults noticed the program’s success in encouraging teambuilding and leadership skills, Andrew was called upon to offer similar classes for adults. From there, the concept of RhythmIMPACT was born.

Andrew piloted his program at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, for which he received much acclaim, and has since conducted successful teambuilding workshops for managers, engineers, and CEOs at a number of top tech companies and financial firms. What an original and fun concept, Andrew!  Andrew welcomes all those interested in learning more about RhythmIMPACT to contact him at aweawe1@gmail.com.