Artist Biography (short)
Gregory Millar’s playing has been described as “compelling”, “a tour-de-force”, and “devastatingly beautiful” (Penny Gumbert, The Muskokan). Originally from Lachine, Quebec, Gregory’s career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral pianist has taken him to several Canadian provinces, the Northeastern United States, and Europe. He appears in the Netflix film In The Shadow of the Moon as a concert pianist (whose recital takes a disastrous turn!). Gregory has appeared as concerto soloist with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and the Mississauga Symphony. He holds a DMA from the Eastman School of Music.
Artist Biography (full)
Gregory Millar’s playing has been described as “compelling”, “a tour-de-force”, and “devastatingly beautiful” (The Muskokan). Millar’s career has taken him to several Canadian provinces, the Northeastern United States, Europe, and most recently, Netflix. He performs a haunting piano piece in the opening sequence of the 2019 film In The Shadow of The Moon, where Gregory appears in a role as a concert pianist whose recital takes a dramatic turn!
Millar’s solo repertoire ranges from Bach and Beethoven to Erik Satie and Hanns Eisler. It also encompasses works by Canadian composers including Colin Eatock, Stewart Grant, Barbara Pentland, and Jean Coulthard. Gregory gave the first complete performance of Coulthard’s 13 Preludes at the conference of the Canadian University Music Society in Victoria, BC. Additionally, he has appeared as soloist with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and with the Mississauga Symphony.
As a collaborator, Gregory has partnered with prominent artists and ensembles, including violinist Jasper Wood, violist George Taylor, soprano Melanie Conly, Talisker Players, the Venuti String Quartet, and former CBC radio host Barbara Budd. He accompanied actor/singer Theresa Tova in a performance of the musical theatre piece “Bella: The Colour of Love” in Brussels, Belgium. In Toronto in 2003, Gregory was privileged to be a part of the Gala Tribute to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, an event broadcast live on national television, where he was heard (but alas, not seen!) performing with violinist Jonathan Chan.
Gregory is featured on two CDs of chamber music by Frank Horvat, Me to We and The Current Agenda. He also performs alongside New York City freelance musicians on Phibbs and Phriends, a CD of music for horn ensemble and percussion by Milton Phibbs.
Originally from Lachine, Quebec, Gregory began earning recognition during his teenage years at local and national competitions. At the age of 17 he was awarded the Mérite culturel, a prestigious prize given by the City of Lachine for outstanding achievement in a cultural field by a young local talent. Gregory’s solo recital debut for the Lachine Music Festival followed later that summer.
After earning a Bachelor of Music in Performance from McGill University, Gregory continued his training in the Artist Diploma Program at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. He was a protégé of the late Peter Longworth, and soon established himself in the city as a consummate collaborative pianist, following in his mentor’s footsteps. Later, Gregory became the first graduate of the Collaborative Piano Master’s Degree program at the University of Toronto, which led to summer residencies at the Banff Centre. He subsequently completed doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
Currently, Gregory performs as one half of the Millar Piano Duo (with his wife Lisa Raposa Millar). He co-manages a private teaching studio and is on the piano and theory faculty at Toronto Music Alliance. Gregory is also the owner of G-Clef Music Editions, where he self-publishes a growing catalogue of original compositions, transcriptions, and pedagogical materials.