BML's blog

If you haven’t already caught the ukulele wave in Brooklyn, then you don’t know what you’re missing! Luckily, though, it’s not too late to find out. Mil’s Trills weekly shows, which run throughout the year, are at the forefront of Brooklyn’s ukulele movement, and events like the exciting upcoming Summer bash offer a chance to share in the fun with the entire family!

Every week, hundreds of babies & children (ages 0-4) meet up in edgy Brooklyn pubs and cafes to bop, rock, rattle ‘n roll as part of Mil’s Trills Music & Storytelling series. Trill-ers, as show-goers are often called, listen to quirky original tunes by Amelia Robinson on the electric ukulele and are introduced to a rotating cast of musical guests – many of whom are BML teachers! Each show features a new, often rare, instrument and a hand-selected book that is brought to life through an improvised soundtrack. So far this year, Mil's Trills has had amazing BML guests like Pinky Weitzman on the Stroh Violin, Derek VanScoten on the Mandolin, Caitlin Gray on the Double Bass and Chris Conly on the Electric Guitar!

Amelia Robinson, Mil’s Trills founder & ukulele-ist, talks about this week's event:

Every season we throw a big blow-out party to celebrate the music community that we have created. This year, our Summer Bash will be hosted by Littlefield (one of the coolest music venues in Brooklyn) on July 30th at 3pm. The show kicks off with a recital by graduates of the Ukulele for New Parents workshops, who have written their own lullabies for and about their babies. Then, a slew of past musical guests will join me on stage to perform charismatic, whimsical songs & bring a storybook to life! So if you’ve got babies, kids or if you just love ukuleles, this is one summer party NOT to miss! (Plus, how can you say no to $5 Mojitos!?).

Mil's Trills Summer Bash Details

Date: Saturday, July 30th
Time: Doors open 3pm, Show runs from 3:30-4:30pm.
Place: Littlefield NYC Performance + Art Space //// 622 DeGraw St. (b/w 3rd & 4th Aves), Brooklyn NY 11217 (R to Union Street or 2/3/4/5/Q/N/D to Atlantic/Pacific)
Tickets: KIDS FREE! (all ages welcome) $10/adult in advance ($15 at the door). Tickets available online or at Mil's Trills show near you!
Extras: Stroller parking available. Bring shakers, blankets & your ukulele.  $5 Drink Specials.

Check out a video clip from Mil's Trills Winter Bash

Amelia talks about the importance of childhood education

Mil’s Trills stems from a very special music experience I had growing up in Brooklyn with my teacher and mentor, Judy Bain. She led a tight-knit group of us in a choir, The Brooklyn Children’s Ensemble and Suzuki piano lessons from the time when we started talking until we finished high school. From the pivotal years of our early music education, Judy created a safe haven for creativity, a sense of self and belonging, and nourished friendships that would last a lifetime. My approach to Mil’s Trills is to preserve these values and nurture a community where music is accessible to all.

The Brooklyn Children's Ensemble in 1993 singing at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

As a donation-based community group, Mil’s Trills strives to support local businesses & highlight talented artists. To sign up to the mailing list click HERE.

For more information and to see more clips of past shows visit www.milstrills.com or email Amelia directly at milstrills@gmail.com

Keep Trillin'!

Fresh off a 5 week U.S. tour playing saxophone and organ with The Suite Unraveling, BML welcomes Michael Kammers to their roster of teachers.  A versatile musician, (Saxophonist/Pianist, Composer, Bandleader) Michael has been active in the creative music scene in Brooklyn since his arrival 9 years ago as leader of the 13 piece powerhouse The MK Groove Orchestra and as a sideman a wide variety of contexts.  Michael combines a laid back style with a rigorous approach. 

MKGO Big Band Clinic @ Onondaga Community College, 2008

Michael Kammers teaches Saxophone, Piano and Composition at Brooklyn Music Lessons

Learn more about Michael's music and performances at www.mkmkmk.com

Derek VanScoten (aka D.V.S*) just released the "NYC Holiday E.P." Each song is tailored to fit the character of a particular New York City neighborhood. These selections venture from folk to jazz, and hip hop to rock, showcasing Derek's varied guitar and production skills.

We're offering the EP as a FREE DOWNLOAD to anyone who purchases a Gift Certificate or registers a Trial Lesson with Derek between now and January 1st!

Derek VanScoten
Guitar, Mandolin, Electric Bass, Tenor Banjo, Bouzouki, Ableton Live, DJ, Pro Tools

This Venn Diagram beautifully illustrates the components of an often misunderstood creature: the Keytar playing Platypus.

While BML does not have any Keytar teachers, we do have a whole bunch of Piano Teachers, Keyboard Teachers, Electric Guitar Teachers and Acoustic Guitar Teachers ... none of which are beavers, ducks or platypus.

BML founder / director Bryan Noll will be playing guitar supporting Shigeto, aka BML teacher Zachary Saginaw this weekend in Detroit, MI. Bryan and Zach will be using Ableton Live with their own live guitar and drums to bring the Shigeto experience to a live band format. Shigeto will be headlining a show at the Magic Stick on Friday night and opening the Movement / DEMF Beatport Stage on Monday afternoon.

On the technical front, Zach is controlling Ableton with an Akai APC40 and manipulating Ableton's effects with an M-Audio Trigger Finger; Bryan is processing his guitar through Ableton's effects and Native Instruments Guitar Rig + Rig Kontrol.

Shigeto recently released an EP entitled 'Semi Circle' on the Ghostly International label and his full length LP, 'Full Circle' is due out this year.

Shigeto artist page on Ghostly.com  - link
Shigeto on Myspace - link
Shigeto on SoundCloud - link
Movement Festival website - link