Youth Symphony Conductor

Anna Maria Miller

Anna Maria Andrews Miller is in her twentieth year with Metro Nashville Public Schools. A native Pennsylvanian, Mrs. Miller received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Duquesne University and her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University.

Mrs. Miller is the Director of Orchestras at Hume-Fogg Academic High School. Hume-Fogg has a rich history of excellence in orchestral studies and a reputation for excellence in performance. Hume-Fogg’s Orchestras consistently receive superior ratings in adjudicated events including superiors with distinction. Her orchestras are invited to perform at local, community, state, and national functions. Many of her students are selected each year for Mid-State, All-State, and National Honors Orchestras. Several of her students also participate in area youth orchestras.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities Mrs. Miller is Musical Director and Conductor of the Tennessee Youth Symphony. Under her direction the orchestra has grown in numbers and performance ability. In addition to their regular concert performances, the orchestra has performed at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, traveled to Chicago and New York City to perform, participated in master classes, clinics, and performed at several community events including a special Veterans Tribute Concert at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium. Mrs. Miller is also adjunct faculty at Belmont University.

Mrs. Miller is a four-time Country Music Association “Music Teacher of Excellence”. She has received the Blue-Ribbon Teacher Award. She has served as the Tennessee Music Education Association State Orchestra Chair and serves on several National, State, and Metro Nashville Public School committees. She is the director of the district’s summer orchestra camp and served two years as the music content lead for the MNPS Music Content Council. She has been a member of the Music Makes Us Teacher Advisory Board, Curriculum Pacing and Mapping, District Standards, Textbook Adoption, Standards Assessment Committees, and served two years as manager for the NAfME National Honor Orchestra. Mrs. Miller serves as an adjudicator and guest conductor at various music festivals and honors ensembles. Mrs. Miller is the choir director at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and directs a youth Greek dance program.

Mrs. Miller’s professional affiliations include membership in the National Association for Music Education, Tennessee Music Education Association, American String Teachers Association, and the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association where she has served as a member of the Executive Board and currently serves as high school Mid-State Orchestra Chairperson.

Prelude Strings Conductor

Melissa Edgington

Mrs. Melissa Edgington has served as the Prelude Strings Conductor since its inception in January 2007. Mrs. Edgington began her violin studies at age eight in her home state of South Carolina. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music degree, with emphasis in Music Education, from the University of South Carolina, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In 2012, Mrs. Edgington received her Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from Belmont University. She has also completed Suzuki teacher training in “Every Child Can!”, Suzuki Violin Book 1 and Book 2.

In South Carolina, Mrs. Edgington taught at the University of South Carolina String Project; was a member of the USC Symphony; served as concertmaster of the Lake Murray Symphony; and was the full-time orchestra director at Fulmer Middle School. Upon moving to Nashville in 2006, Mrs. Edgington taught music appreciation and music theory at Ravenwood High School in Williamson County. From 2007-2010, she was the Orchestra Director at Poplar Grove Middle School in Franklin Special School District.

In addition to directing Prelude Strings, she teaches private violin lessons and regularly performs around the greater Nashville area both as a soloist and with The Corwin Trio, a Nashville-based string ensemble.

As a music educator, Mrs. Edgington strongly believes in the value and beauty of music – that music provides children with the chance to creatively express themselves, while instilling such characteristics as self-discipline, dedication and commitment. Mrs. Edgington strives to be a positive role model for children and hopes to make each child feel needed, while awakening their minds to new possibilities. One of her favorite quotes is: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel” (Anonymous).

Mrs. Edgington lives in Nashville with her husband Dave and their three daughters, Summer, Kadence, and Violet. She loves spending time with her husband and family and is thankful for everything in her life.

Jazz Rock Ensemble Director

Gary Miller

Gary Miller is the director of the Tennessee Youth Jazz Rock Ensemble. Mr. Miller has taught privately for over 25 years. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Miller studied trombone at Penn State University and Duquesne University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. At Duquesne, he studied under the direction of Mr. Mathew Shiner. Mr. Shiner’s teaching methods were influential in the success of many Los Angeles, New York and Nashville Musicians and are continued in the teachings of his students.

As a freelance musician, Gary Miller has extensive experience in both live and recorded music. He has played numerous live concerts, recording sessions, television shows, and theater performances. Local venues have included Gaylord Entertainment, Opryland/General Jackson, The Opry House, Schermerhorn Symphony Hall, Disney, TPAC, Nashville Network, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Sound Emporium, Ocean Way Studios, Sound Shop, Benson, RCA, Soundstage, Woodland, Sound Kitchen, Belmont University, Sewanee University, and Vanderbilt University. Artists have ranged in styles including jazz, country, orchestral, and contemporary Christian.

Mr. Miller continues to perform professionally, is organist at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and serves as an instructor for many marching bands, youth orchestras, and jazz groups. Mr. Miller is an ongoing member of Local 257 Musicians Union.