People

Tim Murphy

I was born and raised in Hyattsville, MD (outside of Washington, D.C.) in a Christian home.  I was brought up in an Assemblies of God church and came to know Christ as personal Savior when I was 7.

Where did I get my musical beginning?  As long as I can remember, there was always music playing in the house….either live in the living room or on the record player.  My Dad played the piano in a small community band back in the 1950’s, and he often played hymns and gospel music while I was growing up.  My Mom began piano lessons when I was 8, and I remember the times I would try to play along with her during her practicing-much to her dissatisfaction!  It was in Spring 1978 that I began piano lessons with the music teacher at my elementary school.

My family and I moved to Edgewater, Florida in the Fall of 1978, and I continued lessons through high school.  I began to get involved in an array of musical activities in high school (NSB) including accompanying the chorus, accompanying the band students at Solo & Ensemble Festival, and playing for the annual Homecoming Court.  I even landed the role of Randolph Macafee in the school’s 1985 spring musical (Bye Bye Birdie)……don’t ask how that one happened!!!  I also played the violin in junior high and high school (one of my most kept secrets) and was a member of the Daytona Beach Civic Orchestra.  I graduated from NSBHS in 1987 and was accepted to Stetson University as a piano performance major.  After 4 years at Stetson, I continued on to Louisiana State University and graduated in 1993 with my Master of Music degree in piano performance.  While at LSU, I played the keyboard on the worship team of Chi Alpha (a Christian college campus ministry).

One of the most exciting experiences I remember from the late 80’s is being invited to appear 3 times as guest musical artist on Christian TV station Superchannel 55’s Orlando Live show.  Thankfully playing all those offertories in church through the years helped me to be brave enough to play on live television!!

After graduating LSU, I began teaching piano in students’ homes.  God has placed some very special families in my studio and in my life, and it was in 1995 that I knew without a doubt that teaching is what I was called to do.  Fast forward 24 years later, and I am still teaching 30 students primarily in Port Orange – including 2 adults that have studied with me for over 21 years.  What’s really amazing is that I currently teach 3 students in which their mother was in my studio 20 years ago!

Outside of teaching, I also accompany the Daytona Beach Choral Society (a community chorus that gives 2 concerts each year) – a position that I’ve held since 2001.  Each February I accompany for Volusia County’s High School and Middle School Solo and Ensemble Band Festivals.  I also fill in when needed at various churches (including FPC) as a substitute pianist/accompanist.

Outside of music, there is another ministry that I am a part of.  Eight years ago I started following kids’ journeys on Facebook from all over the country who are ill (primarily with childhood cancer) to give support and encouragement to them and their families.  I am currently connected to 130 kids, and it is so awesome to be able to interact with them and share words of hope and inspiration.  As some of you know, I participate each March in a head shaving event for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.  I have actually gotten to meet some of the kids at my event that I follow on Facebook who live in central Florida.  I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share the love of Christ with these kids and their families.

I still live at home in Edgewater with my Mom.  My Dad passed away in 2004, and my brother (3 years older than me) lives in Orlando and works for Darden Restaurants as a computer programmer.  I love what I do and could never imagine doing anything else.  Music is my passion and my life.