Canadian conductor Tania Miller has won the appointment as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Brott Music Festival, the National Academy Orchestra of Canada and BrottOpera. Her appointment begins immediately.
Miller comments from Vancouver, where she is currently conducting Vancouver Opera’s Magic Flute.
“It’s a profound honour for me to join the ranks of one of Canada’s most significant arts organizations,” she said. “I am devoted to nurturing and developing the incredible talents of young Canadian instrumentalists, singers, and conductors.”
Maestra Tania Miller
Tania Miller is a native of Saskatchewan, where she began to study piano and organ at the age of 8. She went on to become organist and choir director at her local church by the time she was 13. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Saskatchewan.
With a Masters and Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Michigan, she began her professional career as the Music Director of Michigan Opera Works. She became the assistant conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival in 1998, and held the position for four seasons.
After four years as the Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, she became Music Director of Victoria Symphony, a position she served in for 14 years. After her tenure, she earned the title of Music Director Emerita as recognition of the significant impact she had on the organization.
Tania has worked with orchestras and ensembles across the country, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa), Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, Toronto and Calgary Symphonies, and internationally with the Chicago Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic, Chautauqua Symphony, and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, among many others.
Her vision as an interpreter has been widely praised in reviews.
Tania Miller conducts the TSO in Jordan Pal’s Fallen: Sesquie for Canada’s 150th:
Moving Forward
The appointment of a permanent new Artistic Director and Conductor marks a significant step forward for the organization, which was reeling from the sudden loss of founder Boris Brott in 2022.
“It was the best of times and the worst of times,” says Executive Director Ardyth Brott of the loss of her husband and outpouring of community support for the Festival since.
After his tragic death, charismatic conductor and trombonist Alain Trudel stepped into the breach during a two-year period as interim musical director. Musically speaking, the transition was seamless, due to Trudel’s leadership.
“Now, we look forward to nothing but the best — Tania’s collaborative approach, passionate communication style and dedication to young talent made her the ideal candidate for the future of Brott Music,” Ardyth continues.
She says that Tania was recommended by sources within the classical music world in a wave of support that came from North America and Europe. The fit is good with an organization poised for a new phase.
“She has some really innovative ideas for making audience experiences new, memorable and immersive,” says Brott. “Join us in 2024 and you will be joining us for a season of light.”
For this, her first season with the Festival, Maestra Miller wants to focus on imaginative ways of building connections with the musicians and audiences.
“I envision a range of innovative concerts and events that will create deeper connections between our audiences and our exceptionally talented musicians. The Brott Festival already boasts a rich history of mentorship and educational development.
“My goal for the whole festival is to revitalize the way our audiences connect with music, creating experiences that are unexpected, emotionally moving, and relevant to our culture and community. The tremendous young musicians of the National Academy and Brott Opera will play a pivotal role in achieving this vision.”
Miller makes her debut at the Great Hall Boris Brott in Hamilton November 2 in a concert for students from Kindergarten to grade 6, using her own original programme titled The Search for the Magic of Music.
“Tania Miller’s vision is a significant step forward for our organization,” says BMF Board Chair Judy Marsales.
The Brott Music Festival
As Ontario’s only orchestral festival, and Canada’s largest, the Brott Music Festival was founded in 1988. Along with a concert series, the BMF is home to two music training programmes for emerging Canadian artists that have been recognized nationally.
More information on the Festival’s concerts and programmes is available [HERE].
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