SUPER Early Bird Registration Ends 12/31 - Regular Early Bird ends 3/31
Meet our instructors
Joe Murphy
Co-Founder & Award-Winning Music Director
Joe Murphy is a native of the peninsula and has been teaching for over 20 years. He graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Tuba Performance. Joe was a freelance musician working in the greater Los Angeles and Santa Barbara areas while teaching at La Canada High/Middle School and Agoura High School. In 2005, Joe and his family moved back to the SF Bay Area to teach band at Tierra Linda Middle School in San Carlos. Joe put his own spin on the program and the bands were award-winning during every year of his tenure at Tierra Linda.
In 2021, Joe made the very tough decision to leave Tierra Linda and become the Music Director at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo where he teaches band, jazz band, two choirs and a digital production class.
Joe has been involved with digital music and recording since he was in high school. As a hobbyist, Joe enjoyed making music in his uncle’s basement studio. Here, he learned the art of mixing, recording, editing and mastering. Since then, Joe has worked as a private recording engineer and producer for many soloist, small groups and large bands. In addition to recording, he is also an engineer/DJ for live music events, weddings and parties.
Joe also maintains a large private studio of which many have received high honors. He has taught over 200 students privately and has had over 100 students selected to the All State Bands. Recently, the top middle school trombonist, top middle school tuba player and top freshman trombonist were all from Joe’s private studio.
You may also find Joe playing/conducting/acting in the local theater scene. He has worked with companies such as the Hillbarn Theatre, Broadway by the Bay, San Carlos Children's Theater and Coastal Repertory Theater.
Sara Rangel-Murphy
Co-Founder & Award-Winning Choral Director
Sara has been teaching in the San Carlos area since 2008. She earned her Masters in Opera Performance from California State University, Northridge. She began her career as an opera singer in the greater Los Angeles area.
Sara and her family moved to the Bay Area in 2005 and since then, Sara has become a major name and force in the music education world on the San Francisco peninsula. Currently, Sara is the music director at St. Charles Parish where she is in charge of the music for all masses including holy days, weddings and funerals. She is also the K-6 music director at St. Charles school. She is the director of the long-standing, award-winning Voice Box Choir which takes in kids from the three public middle schools in San Carlos. She also runs a private studio of voice students where she helps them to prepare for upcoming auditions. And to top it all off, she just directed/choreographed/produced her first musical at St. Charles, "The Trials of Alice in Wonderland."
When Sara is not teaching, directing or singing, she enjoys scrapbooking and card making while raising her two teenage kids, Sean and En, who attend Carlmont High School.
Dara Phung - Accompanist
Murphy Music Camps is pleased to announce the addition of our newest member of the staff, Dara Phung - accompanist. Dara is a native of the peninsula and has returned to the SF Bay Area after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music (piano) from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. USC has one of the best music programs in the country. Students who are admitted to this program are some of the best players from around the world. We were very fortunate to meet Dara while she was playing in an orchestra pit in Redwood City. Your kids will love her musicianship and her sparkling personality! We are really looking forward to working with her throughout the 2022-2023 school year.
Camp counselors
Murphy Music Camps has a wonderful team of engaging, energizing, professional counselors who will help the campers create memories that will last a lifetime. Most of our counselors were once music campers themselves so they understand what it takes to optimize the fullest experience of these camps.