Mike Block
| Mike Block | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1982 |
| Origin | New York City, USA |
| Genres | Classical music, folk music, jazz, fiddling, bluegrass, oldtime, Rock, Pop, Blues, Scottish, Appalachian, Asian, Arabic |
| Occupations | Cellist, arranger, composer, record producer, software designer |
| Instruments | Cello, electric bass, fiddle |
| Years active | fl. ca. 1986–present |
| Associated acts | Yo-Yo Ma, Silk Road Ensemble, Mark O'Connor, Darol Anger |
| Website | http://www.mikeblock.net |
Michael Glen Block (born May 25, 1982) is an American cellist, composer, arranger, and solo artist hailed as "the ideal musician of the twenty-first century" by cultural icon Yo-Yo Ma.[1][2] Mike Block has worked with Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Lenny Kravitz, Shakira, The National, Joe Zawinul, Alison Krauss, Rachel Barton Pine, Mark O'Connor, and other notable musicians.[3] Block currently plays with the Silk Road Ensemble.[4] He has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brian, National Public Radio's St. Paul Sunday, Regis and Kelly, VH1, the Disney Channel, WNBC-TV with Chuck Scarborough, and the CBS Early Show.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Education
Mike Block received his masters degree in 2006 from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Richard Aaron.[6] In 2004 he received his bachelors from Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied under Joel Krosnick and Darrett Adkins.[7]
[edit] Performances
Block is most famous for playing second cello alongside Yo Yo Ma.[8] He performed in Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz trio for three years.[9] His performances have been described as "vital, rich-hued solo playing" by the New York Times,[10] and "a true artist ... a sight to behold" by the Salt Lake City Desert News.[11]
[edit] Compositions
Mike Block's Cello Concerto, Movement 1 was completed in 2009.[12]
[edit] Musical Director
Mike Block has served as musical director to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singer Bobby McFerrin, ballet star Damien Woetzel, jookin dancer Lil’ Buck, actor/comedian Bill Irwin, jazz trumpeter Marcus Printup, world-music group The Silk Road Ensemble, and classical orchestra The Knights.
[edit] Teaching
A frequent guest lecturer, Mr. Block has presented at Stanford University, Princeton University, Harvard University, New York University, Berklee College of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Belmont University, Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston State University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and University of Arkansas. In 2006, he received Suzuki method certification in music education from the New York City-based School for Strings, under Pamela Devenport.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ "Cellist & Composer Mike Block Reinvents Concert Series at Brooklyn Lyceum". Broadway World. http://broadwayworld.com/article/Cellist_Composer_Mike_Block_Reinvents_Concert_Series_at_Brooklyn_Lyceum_20110318.
- ^ "Mike Block String Camp opens a world of music to students". VeroNews, Vero Beach, Florida. http://www.veronews.com/lifestyles/arts_shows/music/mike-block-string-camp-opens-a-world-of-music-to/article_d6e25582-90ba-5bdc-b021-a0d8ad7b7afe.html.
- ^ "A Brooklyn Buffet: Local Cellist Launches New Music Fest". Wall St Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703992704576305420517397498.html.
- ^ "The Silk Road Project: Mike Block". Silk Road Project. http://www.silkroadproject.org/MusicArtists/TheSilkRoadEnsemble/PerformersComposersTabbed/MikeBlock/tabid/238/Default.aspx.
- ^ "Founder: Mike Block". GALA NYC. http://www.galanyc.com/founderartistic-director.
- ^ "Cellist Mike Block recital Nov. 9". Illinois State University. http://mediarelations.illinoisstate.edu/report/1112/nov8/block.asp.
- ^ "Student Artist Spotlight: Adrianne Ngam '13". The Cornell Daily Sun. http://cornellsun.com/node/35738.
- ^ "Yo-Yo Ma, Silk Road Ensemble return to Mondavi". The Davis Enterprise. http://www.davisenterprise.com/entertainment/yo-yo-ma-silk-road-ensemble-return-to-mondavi.
- ^ "Appalachia Waltz Trio to Perform Friday, Jan. 18". Phillips Academy Andover. http://www.andover.edu/About/Newsroom/Pages/AppalachiaWaltzTriotoPerformFriday,Jan18.aspx.
- ^ "Leaping Borders, Stylistic and Global". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/arts/music/14lyri.html.
- ^ "Mike Block: Quotes". Mike Block. http://mikeblock.net/quotes.htm.
- ^ "Minimalism and a Stylistic Kaleidoscope". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/arts/music/02mata.html.
- ^ "The Knights: Mike Block". The Knights. http://www.theknightsnyc.com/about-us/meet-the-musicians/36-cello/56-mike-block.
