Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy is a native of Kasson, Minnesota. He holds a Bachelors degree from Luther College, Iowa, a Masters Degree from Michigan State University and a Doctorate in Clarinet Performance from the University of Illinois while studying with Howard Klug. Before coming to Britain Dr. Murphy served as professor on the faculties of Southern Illinois and Oklahoma State Universities. He is formerly the clarinettist of the New American Woodwind Quintet and has performed in some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Amsterdam's Concertgebeouw, Vienna's Musikverein and London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, to name a few.

Dr. Murphy is currently Head Of Woodwind and clarinet teacher at Wells Cathedral School where he also shares orchestral conducting duties. He is the founder of the WCS Wind Ensemble, a woodwind chamber group that has come to be widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind and has performed throughout the UK and US, including concerts at Washington's National Cathedral and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Dr. Murphy is also clarinet teacher at Bristol University.

He works regularly with groups such as the National Children's Orchestra and the National Youth Wind Orchestra. As a member of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society executive committee, Dr. Murphy for several years organized and oversaw the CASS National Young Player's Competition. He remains active as a conductor, coach, adjudicator and performer.