Allison Miller, Saskatoon-born flutist, is thrilled to have joined the SSO in 2019. Having received tenure in 2020, Allison now holds the Randi Nelson Chair of Principal Flute with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. In her short time with the SSO, Allison has been a highly featured musician, regularly presenting concerti and solo works for flute and orchestra. These works include Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti numbers 2 and 5, Vivaldi’s Concerto in F Major, Devienne’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and Sommers’ Picasso Suite.
Allison is thrilled to appear as guest soloist for the premier of Up to Her Waist in Lupins by Canadian Composer Christos Hatzis. This featured performance is scheduled for Fall 2022 in memory of the SSO’s beloved Principal Flute Emerita, Randi Nelson.
Allison completed a Diploma in Music at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, studying with Richard Volet. She went on to complete both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music, specializing in Music Performance, at the University of Ottawa, studying with Camille Churchfield.
Allison has appeared numerous times as both a flutist and piccoloist across Canada, including consistent appearances with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra since 2017. Allison was invited to participate in the 2022 Beethoven Festival under the baton of international conductor, Maestro Christian Kluxen. Throughout this festival, Allison performed in all 9 Beethoven symphonies, including sitting as guest principal for the celebratory 9th symphony.
Allison is the Sessional Lecturer in Flute at the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Music. Allison has also served as a Woodwind Sectional Instructor for the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra and frequently presents guest master classes for the Saskatchewan Band Association. In her teaching, Allison encourages both physical and mental health, a sense of community rather than competition, and a focused and efficient method of practice. Allison has been recognized for her passion and dedication to teaching, for which she has received the RCM Gold Medal award as a distinguished flute teacher. Her students perform at local festivals and have been accepted to artistic schools such as Ottawa’s Canterbury High School. They have performed in Canada’s many musical venues, including Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music. Outside of the U of S, Allison maintains a private studio of highly advanced high school students.
Allison strongly believes that orchestral musicians should be active in their orchestral community off the stage as well as on it. To this end, she is an active member on numerous orchestral committees, including the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, the Players Committee, and the Code of Conduct Committee.
Allison is a three-time NYO Canada alum and has participated in international tours to Portugal, Germany, and Scotland, as well as the Canadian Edges of Canada coast-to-coast tour. Allison spent three summers studying with William Bennet (WIBB) and Lorna McGhee at the PIFR international festival, off the coast of Vancouver. She has also attended the Domaine Forget International Music Academy and the Orford Music Academy.
Allison has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, receiving The Payne-Lyon Prize for Excellence in Flute from NYO Canada, and the top flutist award at the National Music Festival. Allison has been heard on CBC and BBC Radio broadcasts as Principal Flute of NYO Canada. Allison can be seen in NYO Canada’s recent documentary, That Higher Level, produced by Johnny Spence Bolton, documenting the Edges of Canada tour in 2017.