Dr Nicholas Milton AM

Chief Conductor and Artistic Director

Dr Nicholas Milton AM is the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, where his leadership has ushered in a period of exceptional artistic achievement and audience growth. Associated with the ensemble for nearly 40 years, he has played a transformative role in the orchestra’s evolution into one of Australia’s most respected community orchestras. Renowned for his charismatic stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and musical integrity, Nicholas continues to earn international acclaim as one of Australia’s foremost conductors.

The only Australian conductor ever nominated for a GRAMMY® Award, Nicholas also serves as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Göttingen Symphony Orchestra, one of Germany’s most respected concert orchestras. As Chief Conductor of the State Opera House in Klagenfurt, Austria, he led a widely praised new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle from 2021 through 2025 – an achievement that earned him a ‘Best Conductor’ nomination in the 2025 Austrian Music Theatre Prize.

Nicholas has conducted at leading opera houses including Deutsche Oper Berlin, Komische Oper Berlin, Volksoper Vienna and Opera Australia in Sydney, as well as in Leipzig, Linz, and Innsbruck. His symphonic engagements span Europe and Asia, with appearances alongside renowned ensembles such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, SWR Symphony Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Radiophilharmonie Hannover, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken, Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruckner Orchestra Linz, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Staatsorchester Wiesbaden, Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sinfonia Varsovia in Poland.

Before focusing exclusively on conducting, Nicholas enjoyed a distinguished career as a violinist. At the age of 19, he was appointed the youngest-ever concertmaster of a major Australian orchestra – the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra – while also performing for eight years as violinist with the acclaimed Macquarie Trio. His conducting career has included leadership roles with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the Jena Philharmonic and the State Opera House in Saarbrücken, Germany.

Nicholas studied violin with Harry Curby at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before pursuing further studies at Michigan State University and The Juilliard School. He holds four master’s degrees and a doctorate in music from the City University of New York.

In 2016, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the arts as a musician, conductor, and artistic director. A prolific recording artist, Nicholas has released over 60 albums, including the GRAMMY®-nominated recording that brought him international recognition. His Brahms symphony cycle with the Göttingen Symphony Orchestra was recently nominated as Record of the Year by the International Classical Music Awards.