"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets"

-Ludwig van Beethoven

About

Olivia Murphy teaches K-3 Music at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy in Jordan School District. Majestic Elementary focuses on arts integration in all core subjects and classes. Olivia enjoys collaborating with her faculty to make meaningful, creative, integrated lessons. Olivia received Utahs Outstanding Elementary Music Educator Award in 2025. Olivia has a Bachelors in Music, Masters of Education and Arts Integration, is Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk Certified, and has her Utah Arts Endorsement. She is a member of the Utah Music Educators Association (UMEA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and plays violin and viola in the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and the Intermountain Symphony Orchestra.

Olivia writes and produces original songs for her students to sing in the classroom, and on the stage. This is her way of creating quality material for her students to perform while integrating their core curriculum subjects in a fun, engaging, and memorable way. Regardless of background, skill, or academic scores, Olivia can take any student and give them the opportunity to be instantly successful in her classroom. Music is both an art form and a tool used to expand students' learning and understanding in all subjects they study.

What is Arts Integration?

When a teacher is using an art form to teach a concept or skill from a core subject, that's arts integration! Not only is this an incredible way to engage students in the learning process, but students retain more information through the arts. Think about the ABCs, would anyone actually know the order of the alphabet if there wasn't a song? When we integrate the arts we are not just doing a fun activity that goes along with a lesson (although it is really fun), students are simultaneously meeting an art form standard, and a core standard. By approaching education this way, our students are learning more efficiently, growing their creativity, and enjoying their learning process.

My Personal Philosophy

I believe that every person should have the opportunity to participate in creating music and be able to do so successfully. Every student, no matter their personal circumstances or beliefs, should be able to freely participate in creating music without derogatory comments about them or their performance so that creativity and expression can be nurtured in every student.

I believe that music education in the public school system is for every student. Our goal as educators should not be focused on making world-class musicians, but should be making world-class people. Music teaches students how to be expressive, creative, empathetic, and work together as a team. Adding the arts to students' curriculum helps make them more well rounded, and more prepared for life outside of school.

Public schools should give every student a music education and experience. Sometimes learning music can be a privileged option that some students would not typically have access to in their lives. Whether because of a financial reason, location, or simply not knowing that musical opportunities exist, some children are left out. Music should not be just for the privileged, but everyone who has any desire. Schools have the opportunity, resources, and responsibility to provide this education for students.

In my classroom, I strive to teach a variety of musical styles to apply to multiple interests that students might have. I do not imply that any one style or genre is more superior than another. I educate my students to develop their own opinions and likes based on their own preferences, then to explore others that they might not be familiar with. While educating my students, I always think about what I want them to walk away with. Some students will continue with music classes through their educational years, others won’t. If my class is their only interaction with music education, what impression do I want to leave them with? The main thing is to enjoy it. I want my students to leave knowing that they like music, and to leave knowing that they are talented creators. This has always been my philosophy, and I think it is especially relevant on an elementary school level.

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