Meet Our New Composer-in-Residence, Kelly-Marie Murphy

Kelly-Marie Murphy has been part of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra story for nearly three decades — and now, we’re so happy to officially welcome her as our next Composer-in-Residence, beginning in the 2026/27 season.

If that feels like a full-circle moment, it really is.

Kelly-Marie’s connection with the WSO began in 1995, when her piece This Is My Voice was performed at the Winnipeg New Music Festival. Soon after, she received her first orchestral commission—the start of a creative partnership that’s now spanned 30 years. Since then, her music has been performed by the WSO more than a dozen times, including the moving Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly and the world premiere of Machines, Mannequins, and Monsters.

Over the years, Kelly-Marie has become a familiar and inspiring presence in our community—not just through her music, but through her generosity as a mentor and collaborator. Her work has been heard around the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Mozarteum in Salzburg to the Seoul Arts Centre, and broadcast in more than 22 countries. Even so, she continues to return to Winnipeg with genuine warmth, curiosity, and care for the people and projects here.

Music Director Daniel Raiskin describes her as sincere, thoughtful, and full of exciting ideas—something anyone who’s worked with Kelly-Marie will recognize right away. She brings heart, creativity, and care to everything she does, whether she’s shaping a new orchestral piece or supporting emerging composers.

Kelly-Marie is also deeply involved as a mentor with the Michael Nesbitt Composers Institute, part of the Winnipeg New Music Festival. The Institute gives early-career composers a rare chance to work closely with the WSO, leading to world premieres performed by the orchestra.

Founded in 2017, the program brings composers into the orchestral world through hands-on collaboration and guidance from leading Canadian artists, helping build confidence, experience, and community.

You can hear Kelly-Marie share more about her journey and her plans as Composer-in-Residence in a recent interview on Classic 107 with Nolan Kehler.

She also joins composers Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis and Christopher Theofanidis in a conversation on CJSW’s Outside the Lines, hosted by Janna Sailor, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, alongside guest artists CC Duo.

Listen to Interview

Throughout its history, the WSO has played an important role in supporting new music in Canada. Kelly-Marie Murphy’s appointment continues that tradition—and reflects our commitment to Canadian voices and the future of music.

We truly feel lucky to have her. Kelly-Marie brings creativity, generosity, and a deep sense of connection to everything she touches. As she steps into this new role, we’re excited for the music, mentorship, and meaningful moments ahead—and we can’t wait to see where this chapter takes us together.