One of the leading clarinetists in the world, Maurita Murphy Marx’s performances include invitations from the internationally renowned Cleveland Quartet, the International Clarinet Association, ClarFest, Inc., and the National Symposium of Brazil.  A diverse performer, her Brazilian “choro” music CDs have received high critical acclaim internationally (Eurocass), “with command of the idiom, accomplished clarinet playing, verve, warmth and intensity.” Her “choro” mentors in Brazil include Nailor Proveta, Rafael Dos Santos, and Paulo Sergio Santos.  Hailed as a “master teacher”, she has been the recipient of the Collegiate Teaching Award and the invited speaker for the University of Iowa commencement exercises. In turn, her students have won first prizes exclusively in international clarinet competitions sponsored by the International Clarinet Association and ClarFest. Dr. Marx is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music with the Performer’s Certificate and Michigan State University. She has been on the music faculty at the University of Iowa since 1983.

For the past eighteen years, Dr. Marx has been specializing passionately in Brazilian “choro” music. She has been invited to perform and lecture all over the world on the “choro”, along with International Clarinet Association conferences.  Her research covers topics such as human rights, global studies, regulating emotions, arts in society, tangible heritages, diversity, social history, and politics. She is a frequent guest performer at universities throughout the United States performing Brazilian recitals.  Most recently, she has performed with guitarists Michele Ramo (University of Michigan), Bob Sneider (Eastman School of Music), Juan Tony Guzman (Luther College), Silviu Ciulei (Florida State University), and Welson Tremura (University of Florida), to name a few.

It is her desire to educate and promote her passion for Brazilian music to institutions of higher education, the public and the clarinet profession.   

Dr. Marx has three Brazilian “choro” CDs titled Over the Fence, Red Hot & Brazilian (with Rafael dos Santos, piano), and Te Amo Brazil (with Michele Ramo, eight-string guitar).