Mike and Miriam Risko are the owners of the Mike Risko Music School. In addition to being music teachers and business owners, the Riskos are well known locally for their musical entertainment. They have been playing music in the tri-state area since the early 90's. Mike has played guitar in bands like Mr. X, Toast, and Opium for the Masses while Miriam (formerly known as Miriam Baily before she and Mike got married in 2000) was the singer for bands like Said and Done, No Pressure and Yazmin.
Together in 1997 they formed the band Lucy's Frantic and performed all over including South Street Seaport for New Year's Eve 1997 and 1998 and Fourth of July for a Z-100 sponsored event in 1998.
They donate their time regularly to perform for different organizations. Rock2Rebuild-Musicians for Tsunami Relief and area education foundations are some of the many groups they have worked with. (For a complete list, please go to Volunteer Work.) Collectively they have performed at thousands of shows. In addition Mike has done various recordings and released a CD in 1997 with the band Opium for the Masses while Miriam has performed in many musicals like Godspell, The Pajama Game, They're Playing Our Song & she directed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with the Saw Mill Summer Theatre in Chappaqua. She also sang on the soundtrack to the movie Contact Blow. Today, known as Mike and Miriam, they perform regularly as a 2 piece acoustic duo. They also have a 4 or 5 piece electric band called MR Entertainment that performs at larger events and Mike has a jazz trio.
Mike is endorsed by Brian Moore Guitars and Godin Guitars. He has written three books, The Mike Risko Guitar Method Book 1, 2, and 3 and has written a book with Miriam called Rock Star Guitar Training Manual for Moms. Miriam is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, is a licensed Kindermusik Instructor and is listed on the website rockinmoms.com.
Mike has studied music at Mannes College of Music and with the creator of the Natural Approach to Guitar, Mike Caruso. He has also studied with Pat Martino and Frank Gambale. Miriam has studied music and theatre at Ithaca College, Pace University, Hoff Barthelson School of Music, and Aaron Copland Music and Arts Program. She has a Bachelors Degree with a major in Communications and a minor in Theatre.
Their extensive background in studying, teaching and performing has created the backbone to this unique school where students gain hands on experience pursuing their instruments through many performance opportunities. They have found a way to make music exciting and fun while making sure that their students get a great musical education. If you would like more information about the music school, please contact us.
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| Mike, Miriam and Larry perform for Toni Senecal on her Fox 5 show "Toni On the Holidays" in November 2007 |
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| Open Mic Night March 2005. |
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| At the Rockin Horse Steakhouse. |
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| Mike and Miriam with the band Lucy's Frantic in 1997 at South Street Seaport in NYC. |
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| Mike and Miriam at the Crown Plaza in May 2008. |
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| Med Taverna in Croton August 09 |
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