Tess Miller, DMA, CMP, CPC enjoys a portfolio career in which she wears the hats of freelance performer, flute instructor, guest artist instructor/presenter, therapeutic musician, sound practitioner, and life/success coach.
Dr. Miller received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University where her dissertation covered research on music performance anxiety and how to use journal writing to develop confident performance skills. She has been invited to present her research, performance-development concepts, and master classes at the National Flute Association, the College Music Society, Central Michigan University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and many other educational institutions.
For over 20 years, Dr. Miller has taught at public and private college music departments throughout mid-Michigan, including Albion College, Olivet College, Michigan State University (graduate student teacher’s assistant), Hillsdale College (maternity leave replacement), and Central Michigan University (sabbatical leave replacement). Dr. Miller is currently applied faculty at Alma College and maintains an active studio at the Michigan State University Community Music School.
Dr. Miller has been an avid chamber musician throughout her career. She performed as a semi-finalist at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition with the Red Cedar Wind Trio. As a founding member of the Great Lakes Art Music Ensemble (GLAM), she co-released a CD (Latin Dance Project) on the White Pine Record Label. Dr. Miller is also a member of the Durant Street Winds Wind Quintet, an ensemble that is currently working on a recording/performance project with MSU composer David Biedenbender on a newly commissioned work for children entitled Wild Wonders.
As an experienced orchestral musician, Dr. Miller has played with the Traverse City Philharmonic for over 20 years and went to Carnegie Hall in 2026 with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. She has also performed with the Lansing, Jackson, Midland, and Battle Creek Symphonies. As a featured soloist, she has performed with College and Community Bands and Orchestras including the Alma College Orchestra, MSU Philharmonic Orchestra, the Meridian Concert Band, and the Mott Community College Band.
Having a core value of using her strengths and talents in a service capacity, Dr. Miller has expanded her musical training and offerings to include therapeutic music and sound. She became a Board-Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) through the Music for Healing and Transition Program and has provided live, prescribed music at the bedside of the ill and dying at McLaren Greater Lansing since 2015. And she is currently finishing studies in therapeutic should through the Sonic Being Method. She provides sound baths at the I AM Holistic Services studio in downtown St. Johns.
Dr. Miller became a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) in 2019. Through her Life Transition Coaching business, Wings Unfolded, she helps people who are convinced they could be doing more in their lives but need assistance taking the first steps. In 2021, Dr. Miller published her first book, The Book of STUCK: Stop Holding Yourself Back and Start Moving Forward.
She lives in St. Johns, MI with composer and life partner Scott R. Harding and son, Phoenix.
