Miss Murphy
About Me
I am in my seventh year as the instrumental music instructor at District OR1 – Bennet Elementary and Palmyra Jr. and Sr. High Schools. My teaching assignment includes; 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, Junior High Band (grades 7-8) and High School Band (grades 9-12), Jazz Band, Drum Line and Marching Band. I have taught Music Theory through a distance-learning classroom. Prior to coming to Palmyra, I taught in Adams at Freeman Public Schools for four years.
I am a 1990 high school graduate of Papillion/LaVista Sr. High. I started my first year of college at Hastings College and then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I received my Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in 1995 with emphasis in flute performance and earned my Teacher Certification in 1998 both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have done postgraduate work at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University Nebraska-Kearney, and Vandercook College. I am a member of these professional organizations: NMEA, NSBA, MENC, NMEA, and LMTA.
Musical Achievement/Accomplishments
•In 2004 awarded the JACK R. SNIDER YOUNG BAND DIRECTOR AWARD. This award was established by the NSBA executive board in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Association. Nominees must be current members of NSBA, presently teaching in Nebraska, and in their third through seventh year of teaching. Nominations are requested from college directors, student teaching supervisors, school administrators, fellow directors, students or their parents
•I held the Public Relations Chair for NSBA in 2001-2004, elected by my colleagues.
•Solo performance at the Lied Center of Performing Arts on flute and piccolo for the Lincoln Music Teachers Association - LMTA
•In my second year of teaching, my 6th grade Band was accepted to play at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Convention in March 2000. There were only 14 students in band and had instrumentation from flute to tuba.
•Member of the University Nebraska-Lincoln Wind Ensemble invited to perform at the World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensemble (WASBE) in Austria, chosen by the Association of Band Directors in summer 1997
•Member of the University Nebraska-Lincoln Marching Band received the Sudler Trophy presented by the John Philip Sousa Association Spring 1996
•Marched with the Cornhusker Marching Band in Dublin, Ireland for the March 1995 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
•Member of the University Nebraska-Lincoln Wind Ensemble chosen to perform at the Kennedy Center to Honor Johnny Carson 1993
I have been a counselor and instructor at the Mid America Junior High Music Camp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Junior High Music Camp and the Great Plains Music Camp for several summers. I also have at home, a private flute studio. I am actively involved in adjudicating at various Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
I enjoy technology, listening to all types of music, Taekwondo, and traveling. In February 2001, I earned my Black belt in Taekwondo. Due to my involvement in music, I have traveled and performed in Ireland, England, Austria, France, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. In April 1999, I traveled and assisted with the Lincoln Youth Symphony performance tour of Hong Kong and Guangzhou, located in the People’s Republic of China.
I have been asked to serve on the staff of Nebraska Ambassadors of Music for their 2009
European Tour. This will be my fourth trip with this organization. This group is made of selected high school and college musicians and will present a series of concerts in six of the eight European Countries visited. (London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Venice, Germany and Athens – Greece)
Family Information:
I am the daughter of Peggy Zellner and Donald Murphy. I have one sister Brandy Howell (34) and two brothers: Paul (23) and Ricky Murphy (21). I have five fun and energetic kitties: Ludo, Cadence, Emerald, Isabell and Bandit.
