Tobias Roberson

Tobias Roberson is a virtuoso percussionist specializing in Middle Eastern and Balkan music. His innovative approach and style have been well documented by a plethora of recordings, movie soundtracks, and concert appearances. He currently resides in India where he studies carnatic violin, voice and drumming. Tobias tours internationally as a workshop leader and the principle percussionist with several ensembles and dance companies.

During his 9 year stay in San Francisco Tobias worked with many belly dance performers including Rachel Brice and The Indigo, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Jill Parker and Ultra Gypsy, Aywah, Suhaila Salimpour Dance Company, Mira Betz, Elizabeth Strong and Hahbi'Ru. He was also a member of The Toids and Stellamara and worked with the Eastern European vocal ensemble Kitka, Arabic folk ensemble Helm and the world jazz quintet Elameno.

Tobias travels extensively in order to perform and teach workshops. His dynamic teaching style combines theoretical meticulousness with pure fun. His patient approach, combined with plenty of tough love, ensures that everyone, no matter how experienced or inexperienced, transcends a boundary or two during his class. He began his percussion training at age 15 with the UCSB Middle Eastern Ensemble and has since studied in Egypt, Turkey and India.