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Lisa Miles was the keynote speaker at the PARF 2009 Annual Conference. *Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
Lisa Miles Presents
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PARF is honored this year to present special presentations by Lisa Miles, the Keynote speaker at the opening session of the PARF 2009 Annual Conference. In addition to gaining distinction as an independent scholar and author of Resurrecting Allegheny City:  The Land, Structures & People of Pittsburgh's North Side and This Fantastic Struggle:  The Life and Art of Esther Phillips, Lisa Miles is a professional creative artist -- musician and writer. She is a violinist and conceptual artist composing music, often in collaboration with film, theatre, visual and movement artists. Her work -- her writings, her music and her art -- will be displayed throughout the conference.

Conference participants will be able to hear her original music at the reception on Monday evening and at the luncheon on Tuesday. Her artistic work Presence -- a captivating performance piece about the stages of finding authentic self -- may be seen at the Conference.

It will be shown on video in the atrium of the Inn. Lisa Miles will be signing books after her keynote session on Tuesday and before and after Conference sessions on Tuesday morning. PARF is offering participants an opportunity to obtain signed copies of Fantastic Struggle, which will be on sale at the Conference. Participants will have an opportunity to speak with Lisa Miles at book events on Tuesday.

Booking Information

Lisa A. Miles
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Major Speaking Engagements/Creative Consultant Major Speaking Engagements/Creative Consultant
Composer

• 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.
Performer
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.
Writer/Speaker/Creative Consultant
Speaking Engagements for This Fantastic Struggle:
The Life & Art of Esther Phillips (2002)

 

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 (2007)

 

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.

 

  • Talks available for Historical Societies, Libraries, Schools, Artist Organizations, Mental Health Agencies and Women's Centers.

 

  • A special performance combining a set of original music & presentation of either book also available for galas, special functions and school presentations.

 

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 -

"The Artist's Role in Society"

 

A colorful 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.  Also includes a look at creativity-infused learning across the disciplines.
Teacher/Creative Therapy
“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 modelled 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.

 

- - - Professional Development for Teachers (K-College) - - -

 

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.

 

- - - One-Time Workshops & Artist Residencies Available - - -

 

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.
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.

 

- - - One-Time Workshops & Artist Residencies &
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS Available
(Early Childhood - Junior High) - - -

 

Performance Residencies:

Held in conjunction with Solo Performance or presentation of Presence.
One-day or extended residency for students (junior high +) or community.
Contact Lisa A. Miles for
Specifications & Technical Requirements:
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