Mrs Miller, who recently turned 80, is as busy and sprightly as ever, fulfilling the roles of conductor/musical director for community choir the Waitati Warblers and Mosgiel-based Rhythmix singing group for the past 10 years.
"It’s great fun to work with keen community singers — everyone is there to enjoy themselves and for the love of music," Mrs Miller said.
The Waitati Warblers sing a repertoire of world music and gospel songs, while the Rhythmix sing pop songs from the 1960s and 1970s.
"Singing is so good for the mind and health — you leave your worries behind when you are singing and go home buzzing.
"Both groups have about 25 members and are very sociable," Mrs Miller said.
A trained primary teacher, Mrs Miller took on many different roles throughout the South Pacific during her working life, including working with people with disabilities.
She retired at 70, and has been flat out ever since, as a committed member of Dunedin’s music ecosystem, as well as travelling and painting.
Music has always been a part of life, starting with family sing-alongs, school choirs and piano lessons.
As an adult, she was encouraged by her sister to join Sweet Adelines — now known as Dunedin Harmony Chorus — and sang with them for several years. She undertook music study at the University of Otago as a mature student, and also trained with renowned choral singing expert Tony Backhouse.
Mrs Miller also sang with and conducted Sunny Side Up choir, conducted the Distinctive Soundz women’s choir, helped to set up the Dunedin Rock Choir and helped out as interim conductor for Highland Harmony.
She also sang tenor with the Southern Consort of Voices for several years, and sang in City Choir Dunedin’s performance of Zimbe! Come, Sing the Songs of Africa earlier this year.
"Luckily my music knowledge and good ear have been very helpful over the years, and through my involvement with these local choirs," she said.
"I’m always happy to step in for community choirs when they need a hand.
"And I’m so fortunate to have made so many wonderful friends through my involvement with music."
Anyone interested in finding out more about singing with the Waitati Warblers or Rhythmix is invited to email nancymiller140@gmail.com
• The Waitati Warblers, who sing a wide-ranging repertoire, will join forces with the Blueskin Bay Orchestra for a concert of movie themes and gospel songs this Sunday, October 19, from 4pm at Waitati Hall, with Nancy Miller conducting.
