PEOPLE
Tommy Joyner
Tommy Joyner founded MilkBoy in 1994 as a rough-and-tumble punk and hip-hop recording studio in North Philadelphia. Over the last 20 years the MilkBoy brand has grown to include the MilkBoy venue, film production company BBCG Films, and SHAKE Audio Post. Today as head of MilkBoy the Studio’s engineers, Joyner is responsible for production on over 100 records and demos each year, numerous composition jobs for film and television, and he continues to perform as a drummer and side-musician both live and in the studio. Joyner has played drums in Digable Planets and overseen recordings by James Taylor, Dave Matthews, Meek Mill and Miley Cyrus. In 2014 Tommy produced the feature film “Slow Learners” with co-producers Tammy Tiehel-Stedman, Jamie Lokoff, and Brian O’Connor.
Co Owner / Producer/ Engineer
Renee Maffiore
Renee Maffiore is no stranger to the MilkBoy family. For the past 9 years her management skills and can do attitude have been instrumental in the success of MilkBoy's music venues / bars. Despite her family's attempt to keep her deeply rooted in classic-rock, she has found a love in music spanning all genres. Renee spent 10 years in the school orchestra, and included Freddie Mercury in her wedding vows. She is eager to take on this next chapter in her MilkBoy life as the Studio Manager.
Studio Manager
Angie Lofton
Angie loves music and people, which is great for working here. She has engineered at a couple of small studios and worked as an engineer in radio too. She's very smart and knows a little bit about everything. Come to the front desk and ask her anything, she'll do her best to find an answer.
Assistant Studio Manager
Cody Cichowski
Cody Cichowski, engineer, grew up in Maine, but studied for an Associates Degree in Recording Arts from FullSail Real World Education in Orlando. He started as an intern with MilkBoy in 2003 and has since risen from an intern to become a senior engineer. This budding film composer is also a first-call SFX creator and surround mix engineer for our many film clients. Cody is a multi-instrumentalist, an expert foley walker and a talented electronics tinkerer. He continues his quest to build the best possible computer out of trashed components.
Engineer / Producer
Joel Metzler
Joel Metzler has been with MilkBoy since 2006. Showing up at the age of 19, Joel spent his first years at MilkBoy learning the craft and being a part of every session he could. Joel has worked with a slue of great local acts including The Great Unknown, Ben Smith, Scot Sax, Kalob Griffin Band, Pat Smith, and Sharon Little. Joel also has worked on projects along side such producing/engineer greats Don Was and Mark Howard. In addition to the studio, Joel also heads up the live sound at our venue in downtown Philadelphia.
Engineer / Producer
Montez Roberts
Montez Roberts has been an engineer and producer at The Studio since the early 2000s. As a former MC, he travelled on tour with The Roots but has settled down in Philadelphia, where he was born, doing what he does best - making music. Montez has worked locally with Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosious, and The Roots. However, his discography reads a long list from Kanye West to Neyo to R. Kelly and many, many more. Currently, he is in the studio working and producing The Wurx, a Philly based hip hop group.
Engineer / Producer
Lauren DeLucca
Lauren DeLucca began working at MilkBoy in 2013 while studying Audio Recording at the University of the Arts. Starting as an eager intern, Lauren learned everything she could while being fully immersed in studio life, exposing herself to both local and major label acts in many different genres. When she’s not engineering, Lauren helps with the day to day functions of the studio, such as booking sessions and interfacing with clients. Away from Milkboy, you just might run into Lauren adjusting the PA or playing the bass at a sweaty South Philly basement gig.
Engineer / Producer
Matthew Ticcino
Matthew joined the Milkboy crew in 2015 while completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Production at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. Specializing in tracking & mixing, he has been determined and has developed a relentless drive to become a bigger part of the studio taking his journey from intern, to assistant, to engineer. As a multi-instrumentalist, Matthew has taken a traditional yet unique approach to production using a wide and expanding list of talented work-for-hire musicians. Matthew’s passion for his craft, upbeat personality, and attention to detail makes for a one of a kind studio experience. He is also a proud Eagle Scout.
Engineer / Producer
Sam Rosen
Sam Rosen started at MilkBoy in 2015 and has since involved herself in a wide range of recording and mixing projects. Although specializing in vocal mixing and production, Sam began as a songwriter and has a passion for working with artists to develop their projects and their sound from start to finish. Sam also produces/sings/and plays in her own projects Lucky Rabbit and samryebread. Some of her released work can be found on her website: www.samryebread.com
Engineer / Producer
Jamie Lokoff
Principle owner and composer received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from UMiami. While pursuing an acting career in New York, Lokoff discovered a new career in music instead. In 1998 Lokoff joined up with Joyner in a partnership that gave us MilkBoy. Since the two paired, MilkBoy has grown up to become the premier recording studio in Philadelphia. It's been the destination for many local and national acts like, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, James Taylor, Dave Matthews and more. As a writer and composer, Lokoff wrote jingles, produced bands, and composed music for off-Broadway theater, television, radio, and film. He's composed for national brands like, NBC Sports, Planet Fitness, Stetson and Century21 which haired during the Super Bowl. In June of 2015, Lokoff and Joyner partnered with Mark Schultz to launch Shake Audio Post at MilkBoy. The audio studio combines the recording and engineering chops of musician Joyner and the writing and composing savvy of Lokoff with Schultz's expertise in sound design for film, network, and commercial clients. Under MilkBoy Entertainment, Lokoff co-produced the romantic comedy Slow Learners which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and opened in theaters in August 2015. The film is currently available on iTunes, Netflix and OnDemand.
Co Owner / Composer
Mark Schultz, CAS
Mark Schultz recorded music in Philadelphia before joining MTV in 1987. He worked for Nickelodeon for several years and then become a Post Production Mixer at Post Perfect in 1996. In 2014, he joined MilkBoy the Studio and helped create Shake Audio Post.
Joe Gallagher
Born and raised in Philadelphia, producer/engineer Joe Gallagher came to MilkBoy in 2005. "JoeLogic" has since worked alongside many local and globally renowned artists, including singers Patti Labelle, Jazmine Sullivan, Janet Jackson and Mary J. Blige, rappers Meek Mill, Chill Moody and Freeway, as well as jazz musician Ernest Stuart. He received his first Grammy in 2011 for his assistance on Usher's Raymond vs. Raymond. Joe offers clients a vast knowledge of popular music and a wealth of services from beat-making and collaborative composition to skillful engineering and songwriting assistance.
Engineer / Producer
Tim Sonnefeld
*limited availability*
Tim Sonnefeld, producer/engineer, is a University of the Arts in Philadelphia grad, studying performance for upright bass and guitar. Before working at MilkBoy he toured with his band Town Hall and conducted freelance production at various studios in the area. Tim is our staff arranger and produces albums from a musician's perspective. When Tim is not working at MilkBoy he is still fully immersed in musical projects whether by himself, or with his band Gang.
Engineer / Producer
Justin Miller
Justin came to MilkBoy in 2012 as an intern, involving himself in as many sessions as possible. He started down his musical career path in grade school by playing a variety of instruments. He later developed the love of recording in high school while performing with local South Jersey acts. At Rowan University he began studying music education and performance but decided to shift gears and pursue a degree for his true passion, audio engineering. Since starting here, Justin has been able to work with local up-and-comers Miles Chancellor and Anyee Wright as well as label talent such as Marc E Bassy and Rejjie Snow. His drive and passion for what he does makes him a valuable member of MilkBoy The Studio.
Engineer / Producer
Jeff Chestek
Jeff graduated from Temple University with a degree in TV/Film media, and landed his first industry job running the school's film sound mixing studio. Jeff is one of the original studio crew dating back to 1996, and his production credits span various musical genres (R&B, Rap, Gospel, Jazz, Classical, Rock) and industries, including theatrical sound design, radio commercials, video and film audio post-production, studio design and tech maintenance.
Jeff recorded and mixed most of Schooly D's first EP, which some credit as the first real gansta rap record, and has fond memories of working with such notables as Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Justin Timberlake, Sigourney Weaver, Eddie Murphy, Gerald Lavert, Michael and Kevin Bacon, the Philadelphia Mummers, Bedouin Soundclash, Kid Cudi, Cool C, and Pepe the King Prawn (of Muppet fame).
Engineer
Miles Keller
Primarily based in Hip-hop/R&B, Miles has recorded his material at MilkBoy the Studio since 2014 with fellow engineer Justin Miller and musical parter Dori Yankelewitz. In 2015 he graduated high school and traveled to Orlando, Florida to obtain his Bachelors Degree in Recording Arts at Full Sail University. There he learned engineering, production, live sound, post and more. He graduated with his bachelors as well as a double certification in Protools at 20 years old and headed back to Philly with the proper knowledge he needed to succeed. Not only is he extremely self sufficient, Miles is determined to bring your tracks to their fullest potential by any means necessary.
Engineer / Producer