About

Nick Miller was born in Peterborough and raised in Liverpool. His early musical life centred around Liverpool Cathedral, where he was a chorister under Ian Tracey and Ian Wells for seven years. During this time he also studied the piano and violin with Roy Watson, and upon leaving the choir he took up organ lessons at the Cathedral with Ian Wells. In his sixth form years Nick combined the position of organist at Holy Spirit Church, Dovecot with that of Organ Bursar (Junior Organ Scholar) at Liverpool Cathedral, and continued his piano studies with Jolande van Bergen.

Nick then spent three years as Organ Scholar at St Mary Redcliffe whilst reading music at Bristol University, where he continued organ studies with David Ponsford. He graduated in July 2011 with the top Performance Prize in his year, and went on to spend a year at Portsmouth Cathedral as Organ Scholar and Acting Sub-Organist, as well as assisting in the Music Department at Portsmouth Grammar School.

In 2012 Nick moved to the big city to undertake postgraduate studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where he was privileged to study with Ann Elise Smoot, Ronny Krippner and Daniel Moult. A highlight of this course was a collaborative, all-improvised recital in conjunction with the organ students of Birmingham Conservatoire. His final degree recital was played on the organ of the Temple Church, London, and he graduated as an MMus(Performance) in December 2014, winning both of the Conservatoire’s organ prizes.

During these studies Nick completed his ARCO diploma and started work as Organist of St John’s Church, Hyde Park Crescent, assisting with the accompaniment and direction of the church’s professional choir. In 2015 the church completed a Lottery funded restoration of Betty, the venerable 1865 William Hill pipe organ, as part of which Nick was involved in collaborations with local primary schools, international artists, principal dancers from the Royal Ballet and leading instrumental soloists. Between 2020 and 2022, Nick was Director of Music at St Margaret’s Putney.

From 2014-19 Nick was Musician-in-Residence at Eltham College, involved in the training, accompaniment and direction of the various College choirs and ensembles, and tutoring a cadre of young organ scholars. From September 2019 this role changed to become Head of Organ, a post he held until July 2022.

Now based in Bath, Nick teaches the piano at Queen’s College in London’s Harley Street and pursues a freelance career as soloist and accompanist. He is a keen improviser at the organ, for services, concerts and silent film events.