Milton C. Anderson was born in Rockford, Illinois. He attended the University of Iowa and received his undergraduate degree in choral music and education from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.
After coming to California for graduate work at UCLA, where he received his M.A. in Music Composition, he became a Musical Director for CBS Television in Hollywood, working on such shows as Playhouse 90, Rawhide, and The Twilight Zone.
Before he founded The Young Americans, Mr. Anderson worked extensively in television variety. He designed musical numbers for more than 27 major musical network television shows on CBS, NBC, and ABC, and produced three music specials. During that time Mr. Anderson worked with some of the most legendary entertainers of the century including Gene Kelly, Perry Como, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Johnny Mathis, Kate Smith, Julie Andrews, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
In 1962, Milton Anderson founded The Young Americans, the world’s first “show choir.” Their success has become legendary. They have come to exemplify all that is good in the youth of America. The Young Americans continue to bring entertainment, excitement, and hope to audiences everywhere with their International Music Outreach Tours, annual Christmas Show, documentaries, and recordings.
Mr. Anderson is in his happiest element when he is directing chorally or composing music, and is able to work with the new group of 100+ Young Americans that join the current group each year.
A smile from Mr. Anderson has inspired thousands of Young Americans to do their best for over 50 years. Milton and his wife Susan reside down the road from Boyne Highlands, in Harbor Springs, Michigan, where The Young Americans has presented their annual dinner theatre for 39 summers. Milt has three wonderful children, Susan, Steve, and Missy, and 12 grandchildren.
In addition to the extensive catalog of music Mr. Anderson has composed during his career, he is an accomplished author and published a book called Choices outlining the teaching methods of The Young Americans and their overall view of the teaching profession and educational techniques. Mr. Anderson has also published a book of his photographic works, One More Summer, featuring breathtaking pictures of Northern Michigan.