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International Tours "It is comforting to know that the future of our nation is in the hands of such inspired young people. Thank you Michael Miles."
“I commend you for your hard work as an educator and send my best wishes."
“If these are Americans....please send more of them." - Moroccan Imam's immediate response to hearing Miles' music After music, politics is Michael MIles' passion. Michael has discovered that music, combined with an open heart can make a difference in the world. If the world has any hope," he says, "it will be on the shoulders of art and culture." Without even being able to communicate with one another in spoken language, Michael has collaborated with musicians in Morocco and Lebanon to build musical bridges that transcend the politics of the moment. These international musical collaborations reflect the mutual respect and appreciation that musicians from different cultures share worldwide -- a human connection that is not reflected in the nightly news. These multicultural musical collaborations demonstrate to the public -- especially young students both within and outside the United States -- that we are all the same, that the message of "one Love" is not confined to the genius Bob Marley's lyrics and performances. Michael MIles is the Music Director of Global Voices Initiative, founded by Arlene Crewdson. We invite you to learn more about the Global Voices Initiative. |
Michael meets in the Map Room at Villa Mirador in Casablanca where Abdelkrim Raddadi--Cultural Communications Director for the US State Dept--describes the impact of Miles' 2008 tour of Morocco. Michael Miles is taught how to play the tune, "Tabila" by Abdelilah el Miry. |
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.
