Bridget Miles

Bridget Miles is the Principal Bass Clarinet of the Auckland Philharmonia, a position she has held since 1998. In 2002 she appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra, performing Copland’s Clarinet Concerto under Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Bridget has played internationally with the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, and in 2000 she was Principal Clarinet of The Pacific Friendly Orchestra in Fukuoka, Japan.

Born in Wellington, Bridget graduated with first class honours from Victoria University. In 1994 she was awarded second prize in the National Concerto Competition and later that year continued her studies with Russell Dagon and J. Lawrie Bloom at Northwestern University in Chicago. In Chicago she was a finalist in the Buffet North American Clarinet Competition and the Northwestern Concerto Competition. She graduated with a Masters degree and was awarded several prizes including the L. Fanchen Campbell Award. Upon graduation The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra flew Bridget home for a one year Sub-Principal Clarinet contract and it was during this year that she was appointed to the position of Sub-Principal Clarinet with the Auckland Philharmonia, winning her current position the following year.

As a chamber musician Bridget has toured with the New Zealand Ensemble and been a regular performer in the Auckland Philharmonia’s Ensemble Philharmonia series. In 2009 she was awarded an Auckland Philharmonia Foundation Scholarship to study with Andrew Marriner in London, performing a solo recital at Rannoch on her return.

Bridget is an Artist Teacher at the University of Auckland and has been closely involved with the Auckland Philharmonia’s mentor programme. She is currently in her final year of study towards a bachelor of design majoring in painting.