BREMERTON – When Anna James Miller accepted the position of director of the Bremerton Symphony it became clear to the community orchestra that she was the right person for the job.
“Her energy and expertise in marketing and fundraising will be sure to enhance the momentum that the symphony is experiencing as it heads toward its 75th anniversary,” said Anita Williams, president of the symphony’s board of directors.
Miller, 32, said she is “thrilled to join this wonderful organization, and excited to be working in partnership with Music Director Alan Futterman and a hardworking board of directors to find innovative new ways to share music with our region.”
Miller said her top priorities for her first year on the job included “deepening relationships with community partners and building the orchestra’s new Metronome Membership program.”
Miller has now been with the symphony for about three weeks. She was hired after interim director Matthew Blegen departed in May to pursue his career as a musician and conductor.
Miller is a former professional ballet dancer with over a decade of non-profit leadership and arts program development experience. She holds a bachelor of arts in arts administration from University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a candidate for a master of arts in organizational leadership at Gonzaga University. Miller holds certificates in advanced professional fundraising and grant and proposal writing. Originally from Kent, Connecticut, Miller moved to the Seattle area in 2000 and has worked with Seattle Opera, Northwest Chamber Orchestra, American Friends Service Committee, Spectrum Dance Theatre, Federal Way Symphony, and Auburn Symphony.
Miller also spent four years in Leavenworth as managing director of Icicle Arts.
Miller was recognized by Wenatchee Business World as a “30 Under 35 Best and Brightest of 2012,” and was recently recognized by South Puget Sound Business Examiner as a “40 Under 40 Business and Community Leader of 2015.”
Miller lives in Federal Way with her husband, Bryan, who is a working visual artist and arts instructor.
