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Orchestra and “Thanks for the music you make.” Yo-Yo Ma Michael J. Miles has been a student of classical music his entire career, and an important contributor to modern interpretation of classical music since the release of his groundbreaking American Bach CD, a unique exploration of the works of J.S. Bach performed on banjo.
Michael has integrated his passion for Bach on the banjo with traditional classical music organizations and performers, having collaborated with numerous professional orchestras and ensembles including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the de Pasquale String Quartet from the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Michael has also integrated his unique approach to classical music with his love of teaching, and regularly works with high school and middle school orchestras performing a repertoire featuring works by J.S. Bach, as well as original compositions like the "Yellowbird Concerto" and "Chicago Trilogy" that are informed by the best of classical music.
Michael's classical musicianship has been praised not only by critics, but by noted classical musicians and scholars like Yo-Yo Ma and Professor Emeritus and world-renowned cellist, Janos Starker.
"Yellowbird Concerto: Prelude"
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Courante Movement of Suite For The Americas performed by Michael along with Chamber Blues String Quartet. Dorian Movement of Suite For The Americas performed by Michael along with Chamber Blues String Quartet. "New Century Suite" performed with Orchestra.
"New Century Suite" performed solo. |
About Michael J. Miles
• Musician
• Composer
• Performing Artist
• Musical Playwright
• Educator
When Pete Seeger first heard Michael Miles, he sent a letter to Michael saying that "in all my 70 years this is among the most beautiful recordings I’ve ever heard...it is enough to make me want to learn the banjo all over again.”
Michael Miles is one of America’s most inventive clawhammer banjo players. Add guitar, vocals, jazz instruments, orchestras and complex historically-themed theatrical presentations to the mix and, two decades later, Michael has a critically acclaimed catalog of original compositions, stage performances, music CD’s and music instruction books.
Michael Miles performance credits include the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, Ravinia Festival, Harris Theatre in Chicago, American University in Beirut, and the Royal Opera Theatre in Marrakesh.
From 1984-1998, Michael served as the Program Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music bringing the school to international acclaim. Under his guidance the student population grew from 200 students to over 4000. From 2005-2007, Michael was honored as the school's first ever Artist-In-Residence. He remains as active member of the faculty teaching clawhammer banjo and fingerstyle guitar.
With an MA in Music Performance and Pedagogy, Michael is also a music educator whose work ranges from introducing kindergarten students to their earliest musical experiences to leading postgraduate study for professional musicians and music teachers.
Current projects include new fingerstyle guitar arrangements of the Great American Songbook and the works of Stevie Wonder; new compositions for the banjo and expanded ensemble; and new stage productions.
