Booking Information
Lisa has been a professional in the creative and healing arts for over 25 years, uniquely blending her interest and expertise in the arts, humanities, communication, self-development and mental health. She is a performer and composer of original music, author, producer of cross-disciplinary work (even mixing performance and collaboration with Jungian therapists), and she advises/coaches, works therapeutically, and is an extremely engaging professional speaker (with excellent references). Her appearances and talks– whether they be performances, keynote speeches, workshop facilitation, or one-on-one– are entertaining, informative, motivational, provocative, stimulating, ear & mind-opening….
- Acoustic/Electric Violin, Mandolin & Acoustic Guitar.
- Collaboration on works for Cello, Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums, and other strings.
- Original Music written for Dance, Film, Theatre, Visual/Media installations, including improvisation within these art forms.
Solo Performance:
A fast-driven new music set & haunting performance work for acoustic/electric violin, mandolin, acoustic guitar.
A unique performance of original music–at various times driving, chordal, overdriven, dissonant, ethereal, rhythmic & spacious (from both independent rock & classical forms)–is oft intricately woven with multi-recorded tracks, including original text and site-specific improvisation and movement.
Presence:
A cross-disciplinary performance piece incorporating original glass art, projected visuals, music, movement and humanities professionals collaborative input, and is about the search for authentic sense of self. Performers: Lisa Miles & dancer.
- A special performance combining a set of original music & presentation of either book also available, for example, for galas, special functions and school presentations.
Speaking Engagements for “This Fantastic Struggle: The Life & Art of Esther Phillips”–
A Biography/Arts Advocacy Essay on the struggle all creative artists face in trying to make a living at art. Esther Phillips was a painter who was institutionalized due to starvation & stress that comes with such a struggle.
Speaking Engagements for “Resurrecting Allegheny City: The Land, Structures & People of Pittsburgh’s North Side”–
Examines the tale and legacy of Allegheny City… educational and entertaining for all individuals even slightly curious about the goings-on centuries ago in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Lecture/ Keynote– ”Empowering Employees… Transforming Your Workforce”
For Business Leaders– A provocative look at Human Capital and Talent Management as the premier means of bettering a business. Inspiring yet practical strategies for getting employees to see and understand their assets, know their liabilities and be actively engaged in transforming challenges into opportunities, with cross-disciplinary approaches to workplace problems.
Lecture/Discussion–
“Creativity & the Essence of Help”
A stimulating look at the “The Color of Sound” and other therapeutic creative applications, including creativity-infused learning across academic and other disciplines.
Lecture/Discussion–
“Roots of Home: The Forces Behind Community Identity”
This seminar will delve into the significant sense of “place” & “home” that each of us attaches to where we live. Utilizing her book, “Resurrecting Allegheny City,” as well as her work as a teaching artist, Ms. Miles will explore this subliminal component that underscores the shaping of not only neighborhoods, but larger metropolitan areas– as well as discuss strategies to “stimulate a community via its history.”
Lecture/Discussion–
“Artist as Worker–The Creative Artist’s Role in Society”
An examination of the concept of Artist as Worker. Ms. Miles will lead an engaging discussion, based in part on research from her book, “This Fantastic Struggle,” that posits the most critical need for individual artists in this country– to be seen as viable workers with coveted aesthetic commodity.
Lecture/Discussion–
“Personal Power: The Self-Designed Life”
A colorful and motivational look at the keys we each hold to go after the life that most speaks to us in this world, and to transform challenges into assets that drive us forward.
Lecture/Discussion–
“Dis-Ease: The Mental Illness in Each of Us at Some Point in Our Lives”
A provocative look at illness and mental health– how very few are ever spared from this unique characteristic of being human, and how being even temporarily unwell can shape the mold of one’s life and affect future balance
Human Resource Consulting– for business, industry and nonprofits looking to creatively empower their workforce, better utilize existing resources, explore cross-disciplinary approaches to problems, preserve and capitalize on the individuality and talents of each employee and envision new opportunities
Many other Talks and Workshops available~~ Please peruse all of Lisa’s work and email her with any queries you may have~~
◊ One-Time Workshops, Artist Residencies & Professional Development for Staff
& Teachers (pre-K through Secondary) Available for all:
“The Color of Sound” — for direct participant/student work or Professional Development:
A fascinating look at how to uniquely engage participants in the process of examining their feelings– through creative expression to the ‘color’ or timbre (tone quality) of sound and music. First through exploratory tactile work in sand and clay, and then with the application of watercolors and sculpting, this workshop will stimulate caregivers and teachers to see new ways of drawing out feelings, emotions and thoughts in a responsive, safe, creative manner. As live music emanates from a violin, guitar or hand-drum, as well as recorded ambient tracks, it will be modeled how to encourage and guide a visual art response, and then draw out discussion afterward on how the timbre of the music made itself evident or evoked something new in the participants’ creative expressions.
The Creative Process & Education:
An engaging discussion of creativity-infused learning for all and/or the role of the artist in society, using a cross-disciplinary arts approach.
Improvisation & Composition:
Improvisation & Composition, often with a cross-disciplinary approach, guiding young musicians (ALL INSTRUMENTATION) to improvise in response to visuals, drama, dance, and film. Tailored for appropriate age groups ranging from 5th grade – 12th grade.
Music Creativity Workshops:
Creative ways of using the imagination with music as the vehicle. Explorations with the printed & spoken word, movement, dramatic play, visual art & science discoveries. Tailored for appropriate age groups ranging from 3 yrs. – 13 yrs. More Specifically see Sample Music Creativity Workshops
Teaching Community History Workshops:
Creative ways to get students engaged in the civics of their current-day community via study of its illustrious history! Tailored for appropriate age groups ranging from 2nd – college level & Professional Development for Teachers.
“Legacy of the Reserved Tract Opposite Pittsburgh”:
Professional Development for Teachers 6-12 Available– This course will delve into the significant sense of “place” & “home” that each of us attaches to where we live. Utilizing the instructor’s book, “Resurrecting Allegheny City,” there will be an in-depth hands-on exploration of old PA maps and new map-making, and teaching strategies to stimulate young people to become engaged in neighborhood history & civics.
Performance Residencies– Held in conjunction with Solo Performance or presentation of “Presence.” One-day or extended residency for students (junior high +) or community.
Many other Educational Workshops & Creative Therapeutic Applications available~~ Please peruse all of Lisa’s work and email her with any queries you may have~~