Last modified: Thursday, August 4, 2011
Pianist Kevin Murphy and soprano Heidi Grant Murphy appointed to IU Jacobs School of Music faculty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 4, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music announced today that pianist and vocal coach Kevin Murphy and soprano Heidi Grant Murphy will join its faculty as professor of practice and adjunct professor of practice, respectively, this fall.
Both artists, whose careers have flourished internationally for the past two decades, are alumni of the Jacobs School.
"The Jacobs School is thrilled to welcome back to IU these two graduates who mean so much to the musical world and who have so much to offer our students," said Gwyn Richards, dean of the Jacobs School of Music.
The first pianist to be named to the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera and former directeur des etudes musicales at the Opéra National de Paris, Kevin Murphy has been director of music administration at the New York City Opera since September 2008. This month, he also assumes the position of director of the vocal program at Ravinia's Steans Music Institute.
"It is an honor and a thrill to join the distinguished faculty of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University," said Murphy. "As a graduate of IU (BM'87) and a student of Menahem Pressler, I have always been proud to share the value of my educational training at the Jacobs School with others. I now look forward to sharing my professional experiences with the extraordinarily gifted young musicians at IU and becoming a member of one of this country's most vital and influential musical communities."
One of the outstanding vocal talents of her generation, Heidi Grant Murphy has appeared with many of the world's finest opera companies and symphony orchestras, recently celebrating her 20th season with the Metropolitan Opera.
"If I had not attended Indiana University, I would not have had the opportunity to participate in the Metropolitan Opera auditions as a representative of IU or work with the young and talented pianist Kevin Murphy," said Murphy. "I am pleased to join the gifted faculty of the Jacobs School of Music as adjunct professor of practice as I continue my professional career, and Kevin and I are excited to have the opportunity to make a home for our family in Bloomington."
"What a wonderful day this is for the Voice Department!" said Mary Ann Hart, department chair. "Kevin and Heidi bring impeccable musicianship, an enormous knowledge of vocal repertoire and a wealth of experience to our students. I have often played their recordings in my song literature classes and held them up as examples of artists who put the music first. I look forward to welcoming them to our faculty."
About Kevin Murphy
Prior to joining the New York City Opera administrative staff, Murphy was appointed by Gerard Mortier as the directeur des etudes musicales at the Opéra National de Paris. In 1992, he was the first pianist invited by Maestro James Levine to participate in the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, and he continued as an assistant conductor from 1993 through June 2006. He has played continuo harpsichord with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in productions of Così fan tutte, La Cenerentola, Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito and Idomeneo and traveled with the company on tour in Japan.
In addition to his on- and off-stage partnership with Heidi Grant Murphy, he has collaborated in concert and recital with many of today's leading artists, including Michelle DeYoung, Bejun Mehta, Gary Lakes, Nathan Gunn, Olaf Bär, Bryn Terfel, Marcelo Alvarez, Placido Domingo, Frederica von Stade, Renée Fleming, Paul Groves and Cecilia Bartoli. Murphy is also respected for his work in master class and as a private coach and has performed in chamber music collaborations with the Zukerman Chamber Players as well as members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.
He has appeared on The Today Show with soprano Renée Fleming, Good Morning America with soprano Cecilia Bartoli and The Tonight Show with tenor Gary Lakes. He has been musical assistant and played continuo harpsichord for the Seiji Ozawa Opera Project in Japan, at the Tanglewood Music Festival and Verbier for James Levine and worked with Esa-Pekka Salonnen at La Jolla's SummerFest. Additional festival appearances have included Music @ Menlo, Bellingham Festival of Music and Vin et Musique in Burgundy. Murphy has been in residence with the Canadian Opera Company and the Vocal Arts Program at The Juilliard School. He is a regular adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has a working relationship with the Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera.
A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Murphy received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Master's of Music in Piano Accompaniment from the Curtis Institute.
About Heidi Grant Murphy
Heidi Grant Murphy is a native of Bellingham, Wash. She began vocal studies while attending Western Washington and continued her studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her graduate studies were interrupted when she was named a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and engaged by Maestro James Levine to participate in the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. She has been a beloved member of that opera house for more than 20 years. Murphy has appeared with most of the world's finest opera companies and symphony orchestras and has a close working relationship with many of the world's most esteemed conductors. In addition to an established reputation as a musician with impeccable vocal technique, she is recognized as an artist who possesses a warm personality and a unique generosity of spirit.
Murphy's latest recording, Lullabies & Nightsongs, based on the children's book illustrated by Maurice Sendak, was released in September 2009 on Koch International. With Maestro Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic, she appears on a live recording of Mahler IV and a separate recording of Augusta Read Thomas's Gathering Paradise on New World. Additional recordings include Roberto Sierra's Missa Latina with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on Naxos, an XM Satellite Radio compilation of Sondheim classics and six additional recordings for Koch records. For the Deutsche Grammophon label, she has recorded Schumann's Das Paradies und die Peri with the Staatskapelle Dresden as well as Idomeneo (Ilia) and Le Nozze di Figaro (Barbarina), both conducted by James Levine. Additional recording projects include Vincent Youmans's Through the Years for PS Classics, two recital discs for Arabesque and the Grammy-nominated Sweeney Todd (Johanna) for the New York Philharmonic's private label.
She has been a featured guest on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, A&E's Breakfast with the Arts and BBC Radio 3.
Murphy will soon relocate to Bloomington, Ind., with her husband, Kevin Murphy, and their four children.
