Biography

Son of Nuclear Physicist Dr. Michael Mermikides, Milton was raised with wide artistic and scientific influences, an eclecticism that remains with him today.
Milton has a BSc from the London School of Economics, a BMus from Berklee College of Music and is currently researching a PhD at the University of Surrey in Performance & Composition. (Expected completion July 2008)
At the age of 28, Milton was appointed a Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music followed by the position of Head of Music Technology. He is also professor of Jazz Guitar at the Royal College of Music. In 2004, Milton was appointed Designer & Director of the Creative Technology Lab- the Electro-acoustic research centre at the Royal Academy of Music, for which he received the ULU Laurel award for services to Music Technology.
In November 2004, Milton was diagnosed with high-risk leukaemia and entered intensive chemotherapy & radiotherapy treatment followed by a bone marrow transplant in April 2005. He has been in remission for over two years and continues to provide those affected by leukaemia with online support, resources and a discussion forum. His site Miltcentral.com has, to date, had over a quarter of a million visits and helped raised over £30,000 for cancer charities.

Milton lives in London and enjoys a life working as a performing & session guitarist, composer of many styles, band leader, producer, recording engineer, leukaemia activist, lecturer and academic. He collaborates with a number of creative artists of many styles including classical guitarist John Williams, Steve Winwood, Brian Eno, Sam Brown, Pianist Angela Lear, Edwin Roxburgh, Violinist Christian Garrick, Artist Angela Palmer, Gary Carpenter, Gary Ryan, Steve Goss, Tod Machover and many others. He has composed and produced music for institutions including BBC1, Channel 4, BBC Radio 1, 2 & 3, Apple Computers, Liverpool Philharmonic, Abbey Road Studios, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Mencap, Park Lane Group, Guitar Techniques Magazine & Wellcome trust. Milton has lectured in a variety of topics including Music technology, guitar performance, improvisation and music therapy.

In August 2005, Milton fulfilled a subconscious ambition when he acted as a judge in the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland. Yes.

Milton's interests also include health & fitness, genetics, physics, art history, psychology, mind & personal development. He is married to the guitarist Bridget Upson and is owned by a cat named Monkey.

Press

Milton's battle with leukaemia is covered in the Evening Standard and last year's EGO concert in Guitar Techniques with these reviews