Martha Murphy

Martha Murphy received her Bachelors of Science in Music Education at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where she was concertmaster of the University Symphony, and studied orchestral and choral conducting under renowned conductor Hermann Herz. She earned her Masters in Music Technology from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. Her thesis research investigated the conceptual understanding of intonation among fourth and fifth grade beginning violinists.

Ms. Murphy is an award-winning educator, orchestra conductor and professional performer. She has been honored as a Fulbright Teacher and has received the 7th US Congressional District Award for Excellence in Education, the Illinois Math and Science Academy “Best Teacher” award, numerous Who’s Who in American Teaching Nominations, Illinois Golden Apple Finalist Award and many other honors. As a Fulbright Teacher, she traveled to Japan to study the educational system in Tokyo and Okinawa. Most recently, she was named “Favorite Professor” at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. As a graduate assistant in the Music Technology Program, Ms Murphy was named “Outstanding Graduate” of the IUPUI School of Music Program. She was a featured speaker at the IUPUI graduation ceremony in May 2007 via the pre-ceremony video presentation before an audience of 20,000.

Ms. Murphy has recently been appointed as the Director of Orchestras at Pike Township High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a member of the faculty of the Music Department at IUPUI. As the former Orchestra Director and Department Chair at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Illinois, her highly acclaimed orchestras appeared in such varied venues as the White House and the Sony music video “I Believe I Can Fly.”