ABOUT OUR CONDUCTOR
Sandra Milliken
M.Mus.St. B.A. Dip.Ed. A.Mus.A. A.T.C.L. A.A.C.M. C.Mus.A
Sandra has been the music director of the Bayside Divas since January 2007.
Sandra is a graduate of the University of New England where she majored in music studies, and completed her classroom teaching qualifications. She also holds a Masters degree in choral conducting from the University of Queensland. Sandra has several performance qualifications from both Trinity College and the Australian Music Examinations Board. She has experience as a classroom music teacher in both the primary and secondary sectors, and manages her own music teaching practice, specialising in voice and piano. Most recently, she has turned her hand to composing and arranging, with a particular interest in choral music.
During her long involvement with choral singing and conducting, Sandra has won awards for her achievements in both areas. After completing her masters degree, Sandra worked part-time at the University of Queensland, lecturing in the Master’s Degree Program as well as the Summer Music Program. During that time she conducted the university’s premiere choir Concentus.
A highly proficient accompanist, Sandra has worked with choirs, small ensembles and solo performers in Australia, England and the USA.
In 2001, Sandra was awarded a Churchill Fellowship that provided her with the opportunity to further her studies in choral conducting, vocal/choral pedagogy and the management of youth and women’s choirs. During this time she visited 56 choirs in England, Sweden, Finland, the United States of America and Canada, working with and observing many internationally acclaimed choral music experts.
Sandra has now achieved international recognition as an Australian composer and arranger specialising in choral music. Her works have a fresh melodic and harmonic approach, which translates well to her preferred vocal medium. Her works have been performed by choirs in Scandinavia, Western Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, south-east Asia and Australia. Her works are published by Edition Peters London, the Finnish company SULASOL and Sheet Music Press in the USA.
As a conductor she has produced a number of highly acclaimed choral recordings including the premiere Australian recordings of the Ramirez Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra, and an eclectic collection of new Australian music titled New Leaves.
You can find out more about Sandra and her music by visiting her website.
