Sophia Miller is delighted to join Foothills Unitarian this summer. Sophia is a member of the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, New York, where she serves on the music team under the direction of Adam Podd, enjoying her role as a conductor, songleader, and singer, and filling in as substitute music director when needed. Sophia is a firm believer in the power of music to move and inspire hearts and minds, provoke thought and action, and offer an incredible depth of experience in the worship service.
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Sophia is a conductor, clinician, singer, and music educator, who seeks to empower voices in her work, leading with a combination of artistic skill and a fully present heart. She works with all ages, finding great joy in working with children and adults alike. She is currently the Artistic Director for the Fieldston Choral Society in New York City, and served on the artistic team for the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) from 2007-2023, where she conducted young people ages 8-18. She has conducted in venues large and small throughout New York City, and has prepared choruses for recording sessions, television and radio performances, collaborations of all kinds, and performances on prominent stages nationally and internationally. In 2022 and 2023, she conducted YPC in Brundibár, a powerful and historical children’s opera written by Hans Krása and Adolf Hoffmeister before the start of World War II. Sophia has also served on the artistic teams of the Boston Children’s Chorus in Massachusetts, and the Savannah Children’s Choir in Georgia.
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Sophia has furthered her impact as a widely sought-after guest conductor and choral clinician, bringing her expertise to choristers and choral conductors around the US and the world. Internationally, she most recently spent her time making music with children at La Escuela Municipal de Música y Danza de Cabanillas del Campo in Guadalajara, Spain, and young people from over 50 countries around the world at the Ingenium Music Academy in Winchester, England. This season, Sophia has been overjoyed to work with young people and music educators alike in Nebraska, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Washington DC, and New Jersey.
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Sophia also serves as Conductor and Clinician for the prominent music publishing company Hal Leonard, through which she is delighted to represent new works and offer professional development opportunities to music educators throughout the United States.
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Sophia studied music education, voice, and conducting at the Ithaca College School of Music, where she studied conducting with Dr. Janet Galván and was recognized as an esteemed alumna for her work conducting young people and celebrating the voices of children. A performer as well, Sophia continues to sing regularly throughout New York City.