Millie was raised in a musical family, where long car trips were an opportunity for nine-part harmonizing. After a 25 year hiatus from her original training as an opera singer, Millie joined a local Klezmer band, What The Chelm, and found herself instantly transported back in time to her childhood. Born in St. Paul, MN, she was raised in a household of 10, including her grandfather, an immigrant from Vilna, who ran a fruit and vegetable business.
"There was always plenty of squash soup for breakfast! Visitors were always welcome in our bustling home and there was always a large pot of something cooking in the kitchen."
Returning to the present, the more Millie immersed herself in the music, the more she became interested in her past. Luckily her ancestors kept very detailed and literate diaries, stories, and pictures of their life in Lithuania and immigration to America. Founded in 2002, Millie and the Mentshn began to perform musical programs interspersed with stories from her ancestor's journals. More enlightened and proud of her heritage as time goes on, Millie continues her musical, historical labor of love by night. By day, a mathematics professor for over 33 years, Millie and her loving book-hound husband Jerry, are getting used to their empty nest and thinking about retirement, so they have more time for their hobbies.
Lou is a well known musician in town who plays at many events in the community, as he is a member of What The Chelm (Klezmer), Halleck Street Ramblers (New Orleans jazz), The Prawns (classic jazz), and is often recruited as an accompanist. A master at improvisation and old time swing, ragtime, and jazz, he has deliberately attempted to become so busy with music that he will be forced to abandon his day job as a psychology professor. Blessed with two grown children who are also gifted musicians and beautiful wife Marcia, who also serves as a constructive music critic, Lou is happily nearly submerged in his musical pastime.
Warren began music lessons at age four, banging pots and pans on the kitchen floor, after which he attended Seattle's Cornish Institute and received his Bachelor's degree from Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. From the age of ten, he has played a variety of musical styles--reggae, swing, avant-garde, fusion, ska, punk, big band, blues, orchestra, country, Latin, and Klezmer. As a full time musician, artist, and sound engineer, Warren is also a member of The Prawns (classic jazz), Motown Cruisers (dance R&B), The Kooks (reggae), and What The Chelm (Klezmer). Warren's innovative approach to percussion, eclectic array of instruments, inquisitive nature, and soft touch make him an invaluable addition to the Mentshn.
Ken has both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music and his performing experience includes extensive work in both orchestral and chamber music settings. Ken currently juggles Klezmer (also a member of What The Chelm) and classical music, in addition to holding down not one, but two day jobs. He also tries to find time to spend with his very supportive wife Marla, and their children Zoe and Caleb, and occasionally practices and makes reeds. By day, Ken doubles as a business professor in addition to working as the finance manager for a local non-profit organization.
Phil started playing Suzuki method violin at age four and switched to viola in high school. He attended the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival with a string quartet under scholarship from the Philadelphia String Quartet and toured Europe with the Collegium Ensemble from Western Washington University. He has his Bachelor's degree in Music and Audio Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. A sound engineer during the day, Phil also plays in an ensemble with Lydia McCauley, whose repertoire is inspired by Appalachian folk, Medieval and Celtic music. With Millie and the Mentshn, Phil plays a solid body electric 5 string violin, which gives him the ability to play both violin and viola voices. The fact that the instrument happens to be bright green is just an added bonus! Phil and his lovely wife Toby have two large dogs and one very tough cat.