Claire Murphy

Dr. Claire Murphy earned a bachelor's degree in vocal performance and a Master of Music Education at East Carolina University. She also earned an all-level teaching certification in North Carolina and Texas, and her EdD at SFA.

In addition to teaching, Murphy is the coordinator of SFA's music education program. In her roles, she teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level music education courses.

Before joining SFA's School of Music faculty, Murphy was the chair of the music education program at the University of Idaho, where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, coordinated and supervised the student teacher program and conducted the Women's Chorus. While at the University of Idaho, she was named Professor of the Year. Prior to moving to Idaho, Murphy served as adjunct faculty at Barton College and East Carolina University.

Murphy, originally certified in North Carolina to teach kindergarten through grade 12 music and later receiving her early childhood through grade 12 teaching certification in music, has taught all levels since 1997 in North Carolina, Florida and Texas, both in public and college preparatory schools. She served as conductor for the Greenville Choral Society Children's Chorus in North Carolina and was the founding conductor of the Palouse Choral Society Children's Choir in Idaho. Murphy was dedicated to creating and developing children's choirs for every public and private school in which she's been employed as a means to connect students through quality choral programs that focus on developing the adolescent voice.

Additional areas of research interest include teacher preparation, differentiation in instruction, the musical development of children and leadership in music. 

Murphy has been actively involved in the National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association, Florida Music Eduction Association, Idaho Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association and Educational Law Association. She's an active adjudicator and clinician in Texas and has presented at conferences at local, state, national and international levels.