Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Miller.
Hi Molly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started playing guitar when I was seven years old. I am the middle of five kids. We grew up playing music together in a family band- it was incredibly fun. I also played in garage bands with friends and jazz bands in and outside of school. I decided (or rather, it became very clear) that I would become a musician. I studied Studio/ Jazz Guitar at USC – I was there for nine years, which seems wild now. I got my Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate all is Studio/ Jazz Guitar Performance. All through that time, I was playing around town and doing some traveling with music. I played in a bunch of different settings with wonderful musicians and friends that helped shape me. During that time, I was also teaching, which I also love doing – I find the balance of performing and teaching helps sustain me in many ways.
About six years ago, I started touring and recording with Jason Mraz, who I still play with today. He is simply the best. I also have my own trio, Molly Miller Trio, which I adore. It consists of myself and two of my dearest friends and mentors, Jennifer Condos and Jay Bellerose. We just got back from playing Monterey Jazz Festival, which was a blast! I play all around town and tour with my group, Jason, and a bunch of different acts. I have played all over the world – the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, Fujirock, Coachella, Massey Hall, to name a few. It’s surreal that I get to do this for a living. I feel very fortunate to play with the people I play with. They inspire me, push me, make me laugh, and make me dance.
I also work in education – I am the chair of the Guitar Department at Los Angeles College of Music and also am adjust instructor at USC’s Thornton School of music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing is easy – especially things that are near and dear to my heart. Struggling for something I love makes sense to me. There are always challenges and obstacles that come up. I don’t see it any other way, but the joy and satiation that comes with this makes it all worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a guitarist. I love performing, recording, and talking about music – particularly guitar. I feel like I have created my own sound. I work every day at becoming more and more clear at expressing myself through my instrument. You can hear my personality in my playing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MollyMillerMusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodymill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moodymill
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moodymill
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mollymillermusic/videos
Image Credits
Robbie Jeffers, Travis Latam, Andrew Joseph Agresta Jr., Anna Azarov
