Molly Rose Murphy
Owner | Executive Director
Private Lesson Offerings
Voice
Guitar
Piano
Ukulele
Group Class Offerings
Molly's Biography
Molly’s love of music came at an early age, singing in choirs from age 4, participating in all the school musicals, and making music with her family for as long as she can remember. She attended Stuart Hall School in Staunton, VA as a music student in the Visual and Performing Arts program from 1999-2003, and attended James Madison University where she continued to study music.
Her performing career in music began with her first band, The Bourbon Specials, based out of Charlottesville, VA in 2005. A few years later, she and a group of friends formed The Judy Chops, and have been performing regionally, as well as up and down the east coast since 2007. “Molly’s solid musicianship and dedication have been the background for the band’s solid arrangements.” She plays rhythm guitar, sings, writes, and arranges. Molly also performs in a duo ensemble, The Marvelous Murphy Sisters with her sister Sally Murphy, in which their mother, Lorie Lichtenwalner, and younger sister, Lizzie Cahalin, also occasionally join.
She has performed and/or recorded with several musicians including Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-strings, Acme Swing Mfg. Co, Pete Stallings, Lost Indian, Sally Rose Band, Sarah Lynna and the Misfit Toys, Brian Patrick Band, Ludwell Joseph, Den Frumen, and The Boogie Kings. She loves to share in making music as a jam host in Staunton, as well as in old time/ neo-trad gatherings such as at the Appalachian String Band Festival.
Molly opened Queen City Music Studios: a school of music for learning by ear, in September 2016. In her Staunton studio, she offers private lessons for kids and adults in voice, beginner guitar & piano; after-school Making Music with Friends classes for elementary and middle school aged kids; and Musikgarten Family Music classes for families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. She offers similar classes including Folk Choirs for both kids and adults at Front Porch: A Roots Music School, in Charlottesville, VA. Molly also teaches the elective music classes at Staunton Montessori School.
