Living the Mission: Self-Aware and Growing, Austin Murray, ’20
For Austin Murray ’20, growth has never been a destination—it has been a lifelong pursuit.
From his earliest days in the FPD band program to earning a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School in May 2026, Austin has continually challenged himself to develop his talents, embrace new opportunities, and pursue excellence in his craft. Today, he is auditioning for professional orchestras around the country while maintaining a career as a freelance musician, taking the next steps toward a future in professional performance.
Austin credits FPD with helping him discover both his passion for music and the confidence to pursue it at the highest level. Through academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities, he was encouraged to explore a variety of interests and develop skills that would serve him long after graduation.
“I believe FPD primarily allowed me to explore many different paths for what I could do with my future,” Austin said. “The education I had at FPD, as well as the many extracurriculars, prepared me to where I felt confident that I could be successful in many different avenues of life.”
It’s that spirit of exploration that led him to music, but Austin’s success did not happen overnight. Years of practice, discipline, and a commitment to continual improvement helped shape his journey from student musician to Juilliard graduate. Along the way, he learned that growth often comes through embracing challenges and remaining open to learning from those around you.
Throughout his education and career, Austin has encountered people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. He believes some of the most valuable lessons come from listening carefully and seeking to understand the experiences of others. That mindset has helped him grow not only as a musician but also as a person and a leader.
“Whether it was in the classroom setting where we would work collaboratively to grasp concepts, on the swim team where we would constantly challenge one another to be the best we could, or in the band room where leading came from how I carried myself, and in my preparation, all of these avenues pushed me to have a positive impact on those around me,” Austin said.
No one influenced Austin’s development more than longtime band director Jonathan Baker. What began as a student-teacher relationship grew into a mentorship that continues today.
“Mr. Baker created such a fun and welcoming environment while maintaining the highest level of the ensemble,” Austin said. “He instilled in me a love for music and a love of the process, teaching me the value of the basics and becoming excellent at the most fundamental aspects of being a musician. I truly believe he is the reason I have made it as far as I have within the music industry, and I constantly come back to him as a source of inspiration and community.”
Looking back, Austin sees his journey as one marked by steady growth, developing his talents, learning from mentors, and embracing opportunities that stretched him beyond what he thought possible. As he begins the next chapter of his career, he carries with him the lessons first learned at FPD: to pursue excellence, remain teachable, and never stop growing.