Lauren Murphy

About Lauren

Lauren Murphy is currently the principal bassoonist of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and the contrabassoonist of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She previously held positions with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra (formerly known as the West Shore Symphony Orchestra) and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Lauren has performed with many ensembles throughout her career, including the symphonic orchestras of Grand Rapids, Lansing, Battle Creek, Marquette, and South Bend, and the New World Symphony in Miami, and with well-known artists such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Kathleen Battle, Lou Diamond Phillips, Sylvia McNair, and Vanessa Williams. She has participated in a number of summer music festivals, including Baroque on Beaver, the Sarasota Music Festival, the Brevard Music Center Institute and Festival, the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, and the Thy Masterclass Chamber Music Festival in Thy, Denmark. Lauren earned music performance degrees from Indiana University and Michigan State University; her principal bassoon instructors were Sidney Rosenberg, Kim Walker, and Barrick Stees. In addition to her musical pursuits, Lauren graduated magna cum laude from the Michigan State University College of Law and works part-time at the law firm Miller Embury, PLLC. Lauren lives in Traverse City with her husband Nathan Miller and their son Rhys.