Millette Alexander was a daytime television actress for several years until the time came, in the 1980's, that she returned to piano study. She enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music, registered in the piano ensemble class and was immediately paired with Frank Daykin.
She considered herself most fortunate... she had found her musical soul mate and has been with him ever since.
Millette Alexander, the Daytime Television Star
During her acting years Millette was seen on "As The World Turns,'" and later as main character Dr.Sara McIntyre on "The Guiding Light" for sixteen years. She was married and divorced twice and has three children and seven grandchildren.
A petite and youthful lady with enormous energy and great determination, Millette decided to devote herself to hours at the piano and ultimately became a concert pianist after having had a successful career in another field...something unheard of in the music world.
Asked whom she enjoyed working with in daytime TV, Millette says, without hesitation, Kevin Bacon.
Bacon played her son for a year and she was very much impressed with his willingness to take his work seriously and spend extra time in rehearsal. She also mentioned actress Delphi Harrington, a New York based actress who is still a friend.
Piano Duo: Millette Alexander & Frany Daykin
The Alexander/Daykin Duo performed Bach's " Art of the Fugue" in many places, including the Salle Gaveau in Paris and in Claude Debussy's home town in a magnificent cathedral. Steinway sent a beautiful piano from Paris for the concert, and the artists received a warm reception.
The American Record Guide cited "The Art of the Fugue" as one of the best ten recordings of the year (1996). The Duo has gone on to perform in many venues in the United States and Europe, always to critical acclaim. Recent concerts have included appearances at The Friends of Music in Stamford, New York, and a joint recital with the Filipino pianist Casmelyn Quicoy at Clavier House in New York City.
Frank Daykin has appeared in many guises: as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber performer. He is the pianist and a founding member of the Ambrosia Piano Trio (1990), which has performed extensively in the United States. He is also sought after as a presenter of piano master classes.
Millette Alexander and the Chamber Music Association "Chabmer Music Central"
Millette Alexander believes that we are here to give back to others what we have recived and in this vein she has founded a chamber music association "Chamber Music Central" in her home town of Westport, Connecticut.
This group provides an opportunity for young musicians to play and learn chamber repertoire, with Alexander providing expert coaching. She also teaches piano and enjoys it very much. Asked who her favorite composers are she replies "Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin...there are so many it is difficult to choose."
Millette Alexander has other interests and enjoys her organic vegetable garden . "I like to be able to go out and pick my dinner fresh from the garden." She has also done needlepoint where she reproduced great works of art that she admired. Works by Pablo Picasso and Fernand Leger were especially interesting and she strove to bring out the depth and perspective and reproduce the shades and nuances of each work.
Alexander believes in a 'higher being' with knowledge and power out there, and subscribes to the idea that we must focus on more important things than out own meagre egos. This belief must certainly be heard in the music that comes from the hands of Millette Alexander....actress, concert artist, teacher, chamber music coach and benefactor.
Source
Personal conversations with Millette Alexander, September, 2008.
For further reading about Millette Alexander see: Millette Alexander: Actress and Pianist
