North Shore Music Association presents Sam Miltich workshop, talk and concert

Sam Miltich

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the North Shore Music Association and North Shore Health partner to present Sam Miltich’s The Improvised Life: Exploring Intersections of Mental Health & Creativity Through Jazz.

Highlighting cultural contributions of famous artists with mental illness and sharing his own story, original compositions and teaching, Miltich inspires hope for increased mental health awareness and destigmatization.

In the three parts of his project, Sam shares his definition of mental health recovery and the sense of purpose he cultivates through dedication to his musical career and family life. He explores the intersections of mental health and the creative process, and his pursuit of well-being amidst the daily challenges of living with a serious mental illness. Events include: . A music-process workshop at Grand Marais Public Library at 2:30 p.m. May 11. Miltich will discuss and demonstrate guitar techniques, talk about his daily practice and how music has played a large role in his mental health recovery, and engage in Q&A. Open to the public and free of charge. . An evening concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais at 7 p.m. A performance by Miltich’s quartet with an accompanying narrative highlighting the creative and important contributions to society and culture that can be made by individuals with mental illness will be presented. Tickets are $15 general admission, for sale at event only. . A talk at the North Shore Health Multi Purpose Room at the hospital at 2 p.m. May 12. Miltich’s talk, focused on hope and recovery, highlights his experience with schizophrenia, as well as the experiences of other accomplished musicians who achieved great personal and professional success while living with mental illness (such as famed jazz pianist Thelonious Monk). Open to the public and free of charge.

This project is made possible through a grant from Wilderness Health, a Northeast MN and Northwest WI collaborative, leading the transformation for rural health care systems.