Music on Three Mile Island (2 of 5)

Music on Three Mile Island (2 of 5)

 One of the paths on the island.

It turned out that, before they brought their family to TMI for summer vacation, Launa and Bill attended Miles of Music, a camp for musicians of all levels and experience which takes place on the island each June. They write and perform music together and I thought it would be interesting to share our conversation.
(To make it easier to follow the give and take, Launa’s contribution is in blue and Bill’s is in red.)

Tell me more about Miles of Music…

This is a remarkable creative community of Americana and roots musicians who gather for a week once a year.The founders Kristin Andreasson and Laura Cortese partnered with Dinty Child, the off-season manager of Three Mile Island, to come up with this unique experience. It’s an incredible place to generate new songs, to learn new skills, and to let yourself try out new aspects of musicianship.

I hear there is a waiting list for the camp, what makes it so attractive to attend Miles of Music?

It’s the community. Laura and Kristin have established a community where music makers and music fans can feel at home. With the support of an enthusiastic group of new friends, creativity flows more freely. We stay connected throughout the year, attending each other’s shows, playing in each other’s bands... 

What goes on there? Are there goals for the week? 

Everyone comes to the camp with a different goal. A mandolin player might want to start learning the banjo; there are lessons for beginning banjo. A bass player might want to do some songwriting. He can take classes all day to scratch that itch. An Old Time player can come to use new software to strengthen her craft. A singer might want to learn new performance skills, and there are classes and activities built in all week for that.

The staff works incredibly hard to be sure that everyone reaches their goals, and then they help them to try out something new — playing a brand-new song by the campfire, perhaps, or just doing a cannonball off the diving board. Taking risks is at the heart of creativity, and Miles of Music is a place where people get comfortable experimenting.

It must be exhilarating. Can you describe your experience there?

Sure — when I have attended, I wake up every morning eager to write and sing. I grab a cup of coffee and even before breakfast starts, I’m writing by the fireplace, surrounded by other songwriters and lyricists. Usually there are brand-new writers in the room along with some of my own personal songwriting heroes. The lack of a hierarchy feels freeing; for once I’m not stacking myself up against someone else’s skills. Instead, I’m a member of a community where everyone is working on their craft. 

Is there any structure to the day? 

There are challenging classes, but there is also time to hang out and talk.  And then at night, some opportunity to dance, to sing, or to listen to music other people are making. For those of us who want to eat, sleep, and breathe music, it’s heaven: just the encouragement to create.  

I imagine different people get different things out of the week. Would you say it is a productive time for everybody? 

Some folks are there in a supportive role, and their productivity is to make the camp comfortable or create delicious meals for other people. The staff produce an incredible educational and creative opportunity for everyone. But definitely a few people just come to enjoy the vibe, or to find solitude. There is not a lot of external pressure to start or finish anything. 

I love the idea that whatever your role is at camp- whether you’re in the kitchen, coordinating and running the facility, encouraging and instructing, or participating and creating as a camper, there is a nourishing atmosphere… feeding the soul in one way or another.

(If you're interested, here is a link for Miles of Music: https://www.milesofmusiccamp.com/)