Today we’d like to introduce you to Miles Lennox.
Miles, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was seven years old, my dad asked if I wanted to learn an instrument. Responding with “Ehh, sure ok,” my dad suggested to learn how to play the piano. What I really wanted to play was either the drums or guitar because in the mind of a seven-year-old, those were the ‘cool’ instruments. My dad said if I took one year of piano lessons, that I could play any instrument after that. With that in mind, I said yes and took a year of piano lessons. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the piano and haven’t left it since.
In 8th grade, I met Stephen Scott and started studying from him. When I met Stephen, my life literally changed. I would not be where I am today without him and the countless teachers I’ve had. When I got into Dillard Center for the Arts High school, that’s when I started hearing about different honor bands and programs from around the country that I could audition for. At these workshops, I could potentially get to work with my musical inspirations and amazing musicians my age. After hearing of them, I started auditioning and I was able to get selected for a couple and each one has changed my life. I was able to meet so many people and build connections. Another huge impact on me was my peers. I’ve always had amazing peers and “big brothers and sisters’ who helped and looked out for me. People that wanted to see me get better even though I wasn’t at their “level.” To this day, my .peers have been my some of my biggest inspirations and it’s amazing to see what’s next for music.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it hasn’t been smooth, but everyone struggles with things in their lives. Those struggles help you grow. From 6th grade to 11th grade, I used to wake up every day at 5 am to get on the bus to get to my middle/high schools. They were the only schools in the county to have a performing arts program so I did what I had to do. It was really hard at times because, along with that, I’d be up late into the early morning either working on homework, music projects, or coming back late for a school/personal gig. It was hard but that was something I had to sacrifice to pursue my passion, and to this day, I realize how much it has helped me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a musician, composer, bandleader, educator, and entertainer.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I owe a debt of gratitude to a number of musicians who have provided instruction and inspiration through honor bands and summer clinics, including Nicole Yarling, Helen Sung, Todd Stoll, Wynton Marsalis, Dan Nimmer, Rodney Whitaker, Shelly Berg, Chris Crenshaw, Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Nash, the Gold Coast Jazz Society and many others. I’m also very appreciative of the early tutelage of several of South Florida’s finest educators, including Juan Sebastian Fernandez, Sophia Beharrie, Diron Holloway, Melton Mustafa Jr. and finally, a special thank you goes to Stephen Scott, my piano teacher who had a huge impact on who I am today and the two that started it all 12 years ago at the New York Music Academy, Mike Kolber and Jimmy Petullo. I am blessed and very grateful for the amount of time, energy, and love that was poured into me and has me where I am right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: mileslennox.com
- Email: mileslennox@gmail.com
- Instagram: mileslennoxmusic
- Facebook: mileslennoxmusic
- Other: Youtube: Miles Lennox Music
Image Credit:
Paula Stanton
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