NCCC History Nevada County Composers Cooperative, NCCC, was founded as Nevada County Composers Coalition in 1994 to provide the rural audiences of the Sierra Foothills with the opportunity to hear live performances of contemporary American music. Focusing originally on the works of the local founding composers, Terry Riley, Howard Hersh, and William Jay Sydeman, NCCC expanded its programming in 1996 to include a variety of American as well as international works. NCCC took a striking, new, multi-faceted look in 2000 when the artistic board was increased to include accomplished Nevada County composers David Dvorin, Mikail Graham, Ludi Hinrichs, Darcy Reynolds, and Mark Vance. With this rich, compositional diversity on hand, the coalition became the "cooperative". Due to professional commitments Hersh and Riley became advisory members. The remaining founder, Sydeman, stepped forward as artistic director guiding NCCC through this time of growth. Reynolds withdrew to pursue other interests. It was at this time NCCC began to gel. The board's long-term vision and relentless hard work was beginning to pay off. The combination of NCCC obtaining non-profit status, integrating exciting new programs, and the continued success of established ones (notable the virtually sold out 4th Annual Festival of New Music) has made the 2002-2005 season a milestone event.
a composer, performer, producer, and promoter of music in Nevada City, California, with family roots dating back to 1849. Since 1975 he has composed more than 40 original scores for various live theater and independent film projects. Since 1982 Mikail has utilized many Northern California Public Schools to instruct students aged six to sixteen in the art of improvisational composition. He is also the executive producer of The Other Side, an eclectic radio program heard on Tuesday nights from 8pm-10pm at 89.5 FM & simulcast on www.kvmr.org since August 1978. He has toured extensively over the years throughout Europe, Japan, and the USA, assisting composer Terry Riley as well as recording and performing with Roger Hodgson, formerly of the pop group Supertramp. He has been a producer and mixing engineer for numerous music releases featuring Terry Riley, Gyan Riley, and Michael McClure, as well as independent regional artists such as Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald, Ivan Najera & Tony Unger, Christine and Rob Bonner, and many others. In 1997 he produced and mixed the Red House Records CD release Loafer's Glory for folk legend Utah Phillips which was nominated for a NAIRD award. (for more client info check out the Studio Clients page)
In 2002 he formed a creative partnership/company with international performance artist/instructor Menlo Macfarlane which has led to several critically acclaimed works. Mikail is an active member of the Nevada County community and continues to be involved in numerous fund-raising events for local organizations and needed causes. Last, but not least, he is the last of the original team that helped start community radio station KVMR-FM back in 1978 who is still on the air. A 3rd generation native of Nevada City, and an avid dreamer, you can contact Mikail directly at mikailgraham @ gmail . com
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