Leah Inger Murphy, soprano, has been praised by The Baltimore Sun for her “limpid tones,” “bright, flexible soprano” and “bell-like voice.” She has performed with Opera Vivente, Baltimore Concert Opera, Young Victorian Theater Company, Peabody Opera Theater, and Towson University in such roles as Almirena in Rinaldo, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Norina in Don Pasquale, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Yum Yum in The Mikado, Judy in This is the Rill Speaking (Hoiby), and the title role in the children’s opera Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing. She was a featured soloist and narrator (Woman 3) in Cole with the Maryland Arts Festival and appeared in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular and Sci-Fi Spectacular. She has performed Handel’s Messiah with the Danbury Music Centre, Annapolis Chorale, and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

An interest in music of our time has led Murphy to sing a number of premieres, including Damon Ferrante’s Super Double Lite and Jefferson and Poe, both performed at Symphony Space in New York City. She sang in the Baltimore premiere of Ned Rorem’s song cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen and made her debut recording with Curt Cacioppo’s Songs for Paternina (“Burning with the Muse,” MSR Classics). She has twice performed Ginastera’s Cantata para América Mágica, conducted by Jonathan Haas and Eduardo Leandro.

A native of Tennessee, Murphy holds degrees from Georgetown College, Towson University, and Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Phyllis Bryn-Julson. She is the recipient of numerous honors including the George Castelle Memorial Award, Peabody Merit Scholarship, Henry Sanborn Vocal Competition Scholarship, Adda F. Layton and Ruth Hilke Music Scholarship, and Ruth Kerr LaRue Music Scholarship. She has been a finalist in both the Kentucky and Mid-South Region NATS auditions and was a finalist in the Sylvia Green Voice Competition in 2004.

Murphy sings with the choruses of Washington National Opera and Lyric Opera Baltimore. In November 2011, she will appear as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Vivente. In addition to performing, she teaches in both the studio and the classroom. She has been on the faculty at Towson University since January 2008 teaching Applied Voice and Music for the Stage.

Office: CA 3095
Phone: 410-704-2839
email: limurphy@towson.edu