Artistic Director


 

Rebecca Miller

'Rebecca has a great deal to offer any orchestra when she picks up a baton.’ – Hans Graf, Houston Symphony 'A first rate musician and conductor’ – Sir Charles Mackerras 'Clear, expressive technique, command of the music - a talent to be watched.’ –Sir Roger Norrington ‘Excellent musical instincts, serious work ethic, tremendous initiative’ – Marin Alsop www.rebeccamiller.net ----------------- Rebecca Miller, cited as one of ‘Four at the Forefront’ in The Guardian’s recent article on women conductors, is rapidly developing a reputation as an energetic and imaginative young conductor. She has been critically acclaimed for her 'new insights into old works', her innovative programming, and her broad-ranging repertoire, and has been repeatedly praised for her engaging podium manner, her energetic concert presentation skills, and her ability to relate to audiences of all ages. Recently a prize-winner in the 8th Leeds Conducting Competition, Miller is currently the Resident Conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Previously she was Conducting Fellow (assistant conductor) of The Houston Symphony, with whom she gave over 70 performances from 2005-2007, including her debut on their Classical Subscription series. In Houston, she has guest conducted MUSIQA , the Virtuosi of Houston and at the American Festival of the Arts. She has also guest conducted the Royal Academy of Music’s Manson Ensemble at the ‘Sounds New’ Festival in Canterbury, The New Asiana Ensemble at the Seoul Arts Centre in Korea and The Bard Festival Chamber Players at The Bard Festival in New York, and has recently worked with the LA Philharmonic, St Louis Symphony, and Philadelphia Orchestra. In 2006, she gave her highly-acclaimed Israeli debut on a Classical Series subscription concert with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

Rebecca has led the NP in guest performances at London’s South Bank Centre, the BAC Battersea Opera Festival and at various music societies and festivals around the UK, and has raised over 20,000 pounds in grants for the orchestra. She conducted their debut CD, which is out on the Mode Records label and contains previously unrecorded works of Lou Harrison. The disc features the Silk Road Tour’s Pipa player Wu Man and was highly acclaimed in The Times.

Born in California, Rebecca completed her studies at Oberlin Conservatory (piano), Northwestern University (conducting), and at the Aspen Music Festival and School. She moved to London in 1999 and was the Paul Woodhouse Junior Fellow in Conducting at the Royal College of Music for two years, where she prepared orchestras for Bernard Haitink, Andrew Litton and Sir Roger Norrington and was Assistant Conductor at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School. In 2002, Rebecca conducted a composer portrait of Anthony Payne at the BBC Proms, and has conducted the Bamberger Symphoniker, the Berlin Kammerphilharmonie, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and the Kharkov Philharmonic. She has participated in Master Classes with Esa Pekka Salonen, Christoph Eschenbach, Jorma Panula, Marin Alsop, and Sir Colin Davis. As Assistant Conductor, Miller worked with the BBC Symphony Orchestra on a recording of Chausson’s ‘Le Roi Arthus’ for Telarc, at the Bard Music Festival in New York, with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and assisted James Conlon at the Houston Grand Opera.

Engagements for 2007-08 include re-invitations to the Houston Symphony and MUSIQA, 2 performances with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra as part of their Music Director Search, and over 30 concerts with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rebecca currently splits her time between London and the U.S., and is married to British pianist Danny Driver.