How a father's love of music took his daughter to the world stage

Christopher Allan and his daughter, soprano Miriam Allan, share a deep love for music that transcends geographical boundaries. Born and raised in Newcastle, NSW, Miriam's musical journey began at the age of five with piano lessons and soon expanded to include vocal training. By the time she was 18, Miriam had already had professional performances and gained recognition on the ABC and with the Song Company.

Meanwhile, her father continued to nurture her talent and instilled in her the values of music education and accessibility.

As the COVID-19 lockdowns swept across the world, Miriam's talent caught the attention of international audiences during the Duke of Edinburgh's scaled-down funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Her father, Christopher, watched proudly from his home in Newcastle, reflecting on the pride and joy of seeing his daughter's success. Despite living on opposite sides of the globe, Christopher and Miriam maintain a strong bond, fueled by their shared passion for music and music education.

Now, the mother-daughter duo are set to tour JS Bach's Coffee Cantata, showcasing the composer's lighter side through the story of a father struggling to prevent his daughter from overindulging in coffee. Reflecting on their unique bond, Miriam and Christopher share anecdotes of their musical upbringing and the importance of their role as each other's favorite performing partners. Even now, they continue to collaborate, exchanging musical ideas and supporting one another's endeavors.