Laurel Murphy is a singer, improviser and teacher. Her musical influences are diverse, reflecting her experience as a vocalist with large and small ensembles, from performances of jazz repertoire to interdisciplinary collaborations.

Audio Samples

Daughter of musical parents who first met in a church choir, Laurel began singing at a young age. She grew up listening to everything from Joni Mitchell to Puccini, Led Zepellin to Nat King Cole and Glenn Miller. After many years of voice training and instrument studies she rediscovered jazz and in 1992 began studying with Rhiannon, improvisational vocalist and a founding member of Bobby McFerrin's cutting-edge a cappella group "Voicestra" . Exposure to this approach altered Laurel's relationship to music and inspired her to delve deeper into the art of improvisation, as well as to pursue formal studies in jazz, composition and arranging.

SONGRISE

In 1993 Laurel flew to San Francisco to participate in Bobby McFerrin's 24-hour "Sing For Your Life" at Grace Cathedral. So impressed by the experience, she returned to Vancouver and spent the next two years laying the groundwork for her own vocal events: "SongRise--A Celebration of Improvised Voice" (New Year's Eve 1995) and "SongRise--Voices Raised for the New Millennium" (New Year's Eve 1999.) These inspirational gatherings brought together over 150 singers, a host of talented conductors, and 1200 audience members in the creation of a five-hour improvised vocal soundscape to welcome the New Year. Laurel continues to lead the "SongRise Choir", a drop-in choir that promotes community through spontaneously created music.

TEACHING

Laurel's ongoing work with a variety of improvisational disciplines and vocal techniques form the foundation of her teaching. In 1997 she developed the workshop series "Singing on the Edge" . These classes and weekend intensives explore the voice as instrument and approach improvisation as a vehicle of creative expression and personal transformation. Laurel teaches "Singing on the Edge" in and outside of Vancouver and has assisted Rhiannon at "Circle of Song" workshops in Canada and the US since 1996.

OTHER PROJECTS AND APPEARANCES

For more information, see Projects/Calendar page