The Triangle, publication of Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity, Volume 119, Issue 3 Fall 2025
Meet the latest ACME honorees. Page 6.
Fraternity Mission Statement: Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Music Fraternity is a coeducational fraternity whose aim is the advancement of music in the community, nation, and world through the promotion of musicianship, scholarship and music education with emphasis on service through music.
EDITOR Kat Braz editor@muphiepsilon.org
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Paul Wilson thetriangle@muphiepsilon.org
Send all material for publication to: Kat Braz, editor@muphiepsilon.org
The Triangle welcomes story suggestions from Mu Phi Epsilon members and friends. Publication selections will be made at the discretion of the editor. Photos must be provided as the original digital file at high resolution. Please include photographer credit information. All photographs are published courtesy of the contributor unless photographer credit is provided.
Deadlines for submissions: Spring — November 15 Summer — March 15 Fall — July 15
Change of address, renewals, notice of deceased members, requests for extra copies and subscription requests should be sent to:
Mu Phi Epsilon International Executive Office 6510 Telecom Drive, Suite 370 Indianapolis, IN 46278 toll free: 888-259-1471 fax: 888-855-8670 email: executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org
The Triangle is published three times per year by Mu Phi Epsilon, International Professional Music Fraternity.
Member, Professional Fraternity Association.
Subscription price is $20.00 per year. Single copies are $8.00.
Postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the United States of America.
POSTMASTER: Send all changes of address to: Mu Phi Epsilon, 6510 Telecom Drive, Suite 370 Indianapolis, IN 46278
2025 Mu Phi Epsilon. All rights reserved.
KURT-ALEXANDER ZELLER, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, MU CHI, ATLANTA ALUMNI
LET YOUR VOICE (AND VOTE) BE HEARD!
n today’s news cycles, it can seem as if it is always election season, but for Mu Phi Epsilon, elections for our International Executive Board come around every three years — and this is the year! Thanks to the bylaws changes the membership approved by an overwhelming margin this spring (seriously, when was the last time we heard of anything in the United States receiving 82.5% of the vote?), this year’s election will occur in spring before the International Convention, so that we all will arrive at Convention knowing who the new fraternity leaders we will install on its final day will be and can get acquainted with them as we share time together during the Convention. In turn, these new leaders will have more time to prepare for assuming their offices and to learn from their predecessors and our international executive secretary-treasurer so that they can get to work immediately shaping a bright future for Mu Phi Epsilon. And in that election, every dues-paid Mu Phi Epsilon member in good standing will get a vote — this means virtually everyone reading this president’s message will be an elector! (That, also, is a result of the bylaws changes approved by the membership in May.) No longer will the franchise rest in the chapter alone; all members will have their say in who the next
VOTE
leaders of the Fraternity will be, so please plan to “secure your vote,” as the stickers at the polls here in Georgia say, when you receive your ballot this coming spring. Mu Phi Epsilon is always stronger when we all participate, working together in harmony and friendship to further the cause of music.
And that is true not only in leadership elections — it’s also true for the other big event of this year: International Convention! Please seriously consider attending our Convention July 23-25, 2026 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, whether you are an official delegate for your chapter or not. There is a place for everyone at Convention 2026! Submit a proposal for a breakout presentation or to perform as a music delegate. Enter one of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation’s artist competitions — this year there will be two! Serve on a committee. Sing in the convention chorus. Or just come and have fun seeing old friends and making new ones as we hear wonderful music, deepen our skills and knowledge and imagine, innovate and inspire a bright future for our fraternity.
Remember, everyone gets a voice and vote!
HANNAH PORTER OCCEÑA, ALPHA KAPPA
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER’S RETROSPECTIVE
y experience with the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition has shaped my career over the past six years. From the COVID-affected audition cycle (2019–2021) through the tour (2021–2023), to now serving as the International Competition coordinator on the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation board, the experience has been a rewarding journey of growth, connection and contribution.
Through the competition and tour, I have come into my own as a concertizing artist, able to use the musical skills I already had and the industry savvy I acquired to my future advantage. I have become deeply invested in the people who make up this Fraternity. My time and experience as the International Competition winner has provided me with an invaluable professional network. It is my honor to give back to the organization by sharing my experience and working with my colleagues on the board to create an even more valuable and meaningful experience for the next international artist.
Road to the International Competition
My path to the International Competition began well before I joined Mu Phi Epsilon. Competitive performance had long been part of my musical training, and I was a two-time national finalist in the Music Teachers National Association woodwind competitions. However, I hesitated to apply for the International Competition, unsure of my preparedness and the competition timing.
In 2011, I watched my University of Missouri-Kansas City colleague Sophia Tegart (Mu Beta) participate in the competition and admired her tenacity, artistry and professionalism through the process. When I expressed my admiration during a Conservatory Orchestra rehearsal, she responded by encouraging me to apply to the next competition.
Though I considered applying in 2014, new motherhood and the challenges of starting a freelancing career pushed the Interna-
tional Competition off my priorities list. However, the 2014 winner, Rachel Brandwein (Gamma, Minneapolis Alumni), happened to be the daughter of my husband’s colleague, Dorothy Brandwein (Gamma, Kansas City Alumni), and Dorothy organized a performance of Mozart’s Flute and Harp concerto for us during Rachel’s tour. After the performance, both Rachel and Dorothy insisted I apply to the next International Competition.
Again in 2017, life events got in the way. We had just moved to New York for my doctoral studies, and I was balancing school, monthly trips back to Kansas City for my orchestra job, parenting a toddler, a teaching assistantship and an adjunct faculty position. I couldn’t reasonably add a two-year tour to the mix.
When the next competition cycle opened in 2019, the timing was still a challenge. I had a brand new university job in Iowa, an orchestra job in Kansas and a newborn and a five-year-old at home. Not really an ideal time to add two years of touring performances! However, this was the last competition cycle before I aged out, so I applied.
Pieces I had recorded at my doctoral recitals covered nearly every category of the repertoire requirements. I added the Chaminade Concertino to my fall faculty recital program to cover the final category, made sure my affiliate membership was current and submitted my application. I was thrilled when I was selected as a finalist for the competition in the spring of 2020.
Pandemic-Era Speed Bumps
COVID-19 brought the competition, along with the rest of the world, to a screeching halt. The finals were first postponed a year and eventually transitioned to a video submission format, due June 15, 2021.
Preparing for a competition over such a long timeline was a much different challenge than I had expected, but I reviewed my program weekly and practiced the most difficult bits in the
ten-minute breaks between students. I also faced the challenges of the potentially higher standards of recorded adjudication versus live performance and the difficulty of replicating the energy and inspiration of a live performance in a recording studio. I’m forever grateful to my wonderful audio technician Tom Barry, my duo partner Emely Phelps, and my colleague Sean Botkin, who helped me create inspired performances in the studio. I am also grateful for the time my husband, Ryan, spent with me selecting takes and trimming videos in Final Cut Pro.
I was on vacation with my family a week before the virtual convention when Sophia Tegart, who encouraged me to apply all those years ago, called to tell me I had been named the winner. I was about to go on the road performing music I loved and representing Mu Phi in communities around the country.
Life on Tour
COVID-related delays gave me time to adjust to life with our third child, born in October 2021, before the tour began. This meant that in fall 2022 and spring 2023 I was performing nearly every weekend between Mu Phi, Topeka Symphony and my university job. I perfected the art of packing three instruments, a pair of running shoes and a weekend’s worth of clothes in an airline-compliant backpack, and my family, students, and I learned how to juggle my home, teaching and concertizing responsibilities. Each visit was filled with wonderful experiences. I played in halls with amazing acoustics, gave the second orchestral performance of a concerto written for me, saw the library manuscript scores for one of my concert pieces, and made lasting professional friendships. I especially enjoyed experiencing the culture of the different Mu Phi chapters I visited. To see the ways that the values of music, friendship and harmony presented themselves in the lives and camaraderie of the collegiate and alumni chapters was inspiring and lots of fun.
The tour was sometimes a bumpy ride, as all such experiences are. Not all logistics went according to plan — miscommunication resulted in missed bookings and opportunities. Some chapters were still hesitant to book because of COVID, and I was especially sad not to perform for my own initiating chapter in Kansas City. I learned through the challenges and disappointments how to advocate for myself and effectively communicate my availability, flexibility and non-negotiables as an artist. I also grew in my adaptability and collaborative skills through playing the same pieces with a different pianist at each performance.
Then there were the wild cards. Nothing quite prepares you for trying to perform an outreach concert with a wonderful collaborative pianist on an instrument that had been flood damaged! We both tried not to laugh at the noises the piano made, and I switched to my unaccompanied program after the first piece. Equally memorable was having a hawk fly through the grille of my van while driving from Topeka to Indianapolis. The poor,
deceased hawk was stuck in the inner grille for two months before the body shop could remove it and fix the front of my van!
The end of my time as the International Competition winner was bittersweet. I had been part of some incredible performances, had met and worked with wonderful musicians all over the country, and felt more connected than I ever had been to the fraternity. By the end of my tour, I was newly pregnant with my son — and dealing with morning sickness while on tour was exhausting. I was looking forward to having some time off the road.
In June 2023, I was invited to join the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation board to help coordinate the next International Competition. We are very excited to announce the 2026 International Competition, launch the brand new Young Artist Competition and highlight some of the changes to the process.
International Competition Age Limits Removed
One of the first things addressed was the competition age limit. The International Competition is now open to dues-paying Mu Phi Epsilon members of any age.
Not wanting to discourage younger Mu Phis from participating, we added a video Young Artist Competition for instrumentalists ages 18–25 and vocalists 18–30. Competitors submit 15–30 minutes of music in contrasting styles, requirements that could easily be met using senior or graduate recital recordings.
Repertoire Flexibility
There may have been a time when the mark of the highest level of classical musicians was competence and versatility in each time period. However, today’s high-level artists often specialize in unique, interesting programs that showcase their art at its highest level without ticking arbitrary boxes. In the 2026 competition cycle, competitors will submit audio recordings of 30 minutes of music covering three, rather than five, styles, genres or eras in the first round, and will perform a free-choice, 30-minute recital in the final round.
Outreach and Diplomacy
Because the ability to connect with diverse audiences is central to the ambassadorial role of the winner, competitors will provide with their first round materials a brief description of a sample outreach event they would like to present on tour. During the final round, competitors will give brief spoken program notes and they will have a post-concert conversation with the judges after the performance.
Modernized Prizes
All International Competition finalists will still receive the $500 Sorel Award. The winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize, perform a 60-minute recital at the 2026 Mu Phi Epsilon
Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and receive $500 per tour concert.
The Young Artist Competition winners will receive $1,000, $750 and $500, respectively, with the top prizewinner performing a 30-minute recital at the 2026 Mu Phi Epsilon Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Passing the Baton
As I reflect on my experience, I’m profoundly grateful to all those who encouraged me to pursue the competition and persist through the challenges of COVID. I’ve grown immensely as an artist and leader, and I am proud to continue to be part of the Fraternity helping to shape the next competition. I look forward to meeting the next International Competition winner and the inaugural Young Artist winner next summer. To those considering the competition, I now pay forward the encouragement I received: Apply! You are ready, and though the timing will never be perfect, the experience is worth overcoming the challenges.
Hailed by the New York Times as possessing “rich tone and deft technique,” Hannah Porter Occeña (Alpha Kappa) is a versatile flutist and pedagogue equally comfortable performing music written 400 years or 40 minutes ago. The 2021 Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition winner and 2012 Irene Burchard Prizewinner, her performance work ranges from intimate solo performances in the recording studio to sold-out orchestra festival concerts. She holds principal flute positions in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra (Topeka, Kansas) and Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra (Boulder, Colorado) and teaches a vibrant studio of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa).
IN RECOGNITION
Mu Phi Epsilon is proud to announce the latest ACME (Artists, Composer, Musicologists, Educators) honorees and include them among our most accomplished members whose achievements place them at the acme of our profession. Like all ACME honorees, they welcome mentoring requests and other contact from Mu Phi members.
PAUL GIBSON (Omega Omega,
Los Angeles Alumni)
Paul Gibson is an award-winning composer whose music is performed around the world. Based in the Los Angeles area for many years, he sang with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the world’s leading conductors in repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant and Renaissance masters. In addition, he sang in the L.A. Opera Chorus, and, for 30 years, served as a church musician in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The night before the British coronation in 2023, Gibson’s “March for the Double Coronation” was premiered in London conducted by co-commissioner Marcy Sudock. His international premieres also include choral works in Leipzig and performances in Australia, South Africa and China. For its centennial celebration, the Los Angeles Philharmonic brass section premiered his “Fanfare for the LA Phil 100” on the front steps of Walt Disney Concert Hall.
For the 50th anniversary of Loyola Marymount University’s Spring Chorale, LMU’s Mary Breden commissioned a Te Deum for chorus and orchestra, bringing full circle the collaborative friendship between Breden and Gibson, as she had given him his very first commission for her girls’ high school chorus decades earlier.
Many of Gibson’s sacred works were commissioned, premiered and/or recorded by leading Catholic musician Frank Brownstead, whose Christmas CD In Deepest Night featured “A Christmas Gloria,” which went on to tremendous success around the U.S. and beyond.
ACME is the acronym for Artists, Composers, Musicologists and Educators ACME highlights the strengths of our Mu Phi Epsilon artists, composers, musicologists, and educators. It is an honor bestowed upon Mu Phi Epsilon members who are distinguished in their respective fields of musical endeavors. We therefore encourage members to nominate deserving candidates who have achieved national and/or international acclaim in their music-related fields for ACME consideration. Information about ACME members and their attainments are published to recognize outstanding achievements of our members as well as to provide mentors who are willing to advise other musicians in the same category of the music profession.
DARRYL TAYLOR
(Mu Nu, Los Angeles Alumni)
Darryl Taylor, American countertenor, actor and educator, has had an international career highlighted by performances of art song, opera and oratorio. His repertoire extends from Bach to Britten, and beyond. His performances have been noted for their compelling artistry and authority.
Taylor has appeared with orchestras in the U.S. and in Europe. Among his operatic credits is the premier of the jazz opera by Nathan Davis, Just Above My Head, based on the novel by James Baldwin (role of Jimmy). His lead operatic roles include operas by Mozart, Verdi, Handel, Britten and Gershwin. Taylor’s international itinerary includes 19 tours to Spain, singing to enthusiastic, capacity audiences.
Founder of the African American Art Song Alliance, Taylor is much sought after as a lecturer on African American Art Song. He served as a Master Teacher for the 2022 National Association of Teachers of Singing intern program at Georgia Southern University and was inducted into the American Academy of Teachers of Singing.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Taylor holds degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society and is on the Board of Directors Videmus Inc.
REBECCA NEDERHISER
(Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni)
Rebecca Nederhiser is a passionate conductor, scholar, music educator, oboist and English hornist. She currently conducts the Wartburg Community Symphony, leads the Kammerstreicher string ensemble, and teaches music theory, oboe and conducting at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she is an assistant professor. In her short time at Wartburg, Nederhiser has created community engaging traditions, including an inaugural music camp, the formation of the St. George String Quartet, and collaborations/clinics with national composers and artists. Most recently she embarked on a European tour with Kammerstreicher to Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, England, and Germany, performing in prestigious halls across Europe, including the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Known for her collaborative spirit, Nederhiser has created innovative concert experiences, including the world premiere of Jocelyn Hagen’s Messages from Everywhere by Wartburg Community Symphony, which involved a simultaneous combination of AI generated movie, choir, and surround sound. Nederhiser earned third place in the 2024 American Prize competition for the Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming for this concert.
Nederhiser has a music education degree from Warner Pacific University, earned master’s degrees from Washington State University (oboe performance) and Central Washington University (orchestral conducting) and a DMA in orchestral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In her spare time, Nederhiser enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, traveling and exploring her local coffee shops.
WE’RE BRINGING THE TO THE
ack your bags and mark your calendars — because the 2026 Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention is headed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 23–25! Known as the “City of Three Rivers” and a hub of creativity in the Hoosier State, Fort Wayne is the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with worldclass music, camaraderie and celebration. From the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene to its welcoming Midwest spirit, you won’t want to miss it.
What’s in store?
• A stellar lineup of Mu Phi talent from across the nation
• The thrilling return of the International Competition and the inaugural Young Artist Competition for musicians ages 18-25
• Time to connect, recharge and strengthen the bonds that unite our Mu Phi family
Get ready for three unforgettable days of music, friendship and harmony — and true Hoosier hospitality in the heart of Indiana.
GET REGISTERED FOR THE 2026 CONVENTION www.muphiepsilon.org/2026-convention
• Early Bird registration fee of $325 is available through April 30, 2026.
• After April 30, the registration fee increases to $375.
• After June 1, registration fee increases to $425.
• No refunds will be given after June 30.
Full-Package Registration
The full-package registration fee includes all meals on Friday and Saturday, access to all Convention events and voting privileges in business meetings for members in good standing. The last day to cancel and receive a full registration refund is June 30.
One-Day Registration
• $150 per day
This option is available for those individuals who only wish to participate in the Convention on Friday or Saturday. This registration admits you to all meals and Convention events held during the day purchased. The last day to cancel and receive a full registration refund is June 30.
Individual Meals
• $35 per meal
This option is available for those individuals (and/or their guests) who are only joining us for individual meals and no other events (lunches and dinners on Friday and/or Saturday).
CONVENTION SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
THURSDAY, JULY 23
1-5:00 p.m. International Competition
6:15-7:00 p.m. Committee Meetings
7-7:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
8-9:00 p.m. Gala Opening Session
9:00 p.m. Explore Fort Wayne
FRIDAY, JULY 24
7-9:00 a.m. Breakfast and MarketPlace
8:30-9:45 a.m. Business Session I
10:00 am. Busses Depart for Sweetwater
10:45-11:30 a.m. Music Delegate Recital
11:30-11:45 a.m. Welcome to Sweetwater
11:45-12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30-1:20 p.m. Workshop Block A
1:30-2:20 p.m. Workshop Block B
2:30-3:45 p.m. Explore Sweetwater
4:00 p.m. Busses Depart for Pearl Arts Center
5:00-5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
5:30-6:00 p.m. Committee Meetings
6:15-6:45 p.m. Young Artist Concert
7:00-8:00 p.m. Foundation Dinner
8:15-9:15 p.m. International Artist Concert
9:15 p.m. Explore Fort Wayne
SATURDAY, JULY 25
7:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast & MarketPlace
8:30-10:45 a.m. Business Session II and Installation of Officers
11:00-11:45 a.m. Educational Sessions
12:00-1:30 p.m. Recognition Luncheon
1:45-2:45 p.m. Joint Collegiate and Alumni Session
3:00-3:45 p.m. Educational Sessions
3-3:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
4-5:30 p.m. Initiation and Memorial Rituals
6-7:30 p.m. Grand Banquet and Province Photos
8-9:00 p.m. Closing Choir Concert
9:00 p.m. Explore Fort Wayne
The Bradley Hotel
Convention attendees will be staying at The Bradley, Fort Wayne’s first boutique hotel. Born of Midwestern charm and modern design sensibilities, The Bradley is a cornerstone of entertainment and hospitality in the bustling urban center of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A true reflection of the city it calls home, The Bradley is immersed in the genuine spirit of community, industry and creativity that abounds beyond its walls. The hotel was designed collaboratively by visionary Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of the iconic lifestyle brand — Vera Bradley, and Provenance hotels, known for their collection of award-winning boutique hotels marked by trendsetting designs and museum-quality art.
Hotel Registration
• Visit www.bradleyhotel.com to reserve your room. Use group code 2283701 to book a room with the discounted group block rate.
• Or call The Bradley at 260-205-5093 and ask for inhouse reservations. Reference the Mu Phi Epsilon group code 2283701.
Our group rate is $169 + applicable taxes, per room night for a single or double room. This special rate is valid through June 20, as long as rooms are still available at the hotel. Per hotel policy, no more than four individuals are allowed to share a room. Rooms may be cancelled up to 48 hours before the date of arrival.
“ The Bradley is a personal labor of love for me, channeling our vision to build a hotel that feels more like a home for my hometown and the travelers passing through.”
—
Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley
Parking
The Bradley Hotel offers self and valet parking. For those registered at the hotel, the discounted parking rates for Mu Phi Epsilon are $10 per night for self-parking, and $20 per night for valet.
Collegiate Delegates Hotel Registration
Hotel rooms for Collegiate business and Collegiate music (performer) delegates are covered by the Fraternity if you choose to share a room with up to three other individuals. Please note that Collegiate delegates are not required to take advantage of the complimentary hotel room assignment. If they choose not to, they must make their own room reservations directly with the hotel (at their own expense). The option to participate in the complimentary room block is included in the convention registration form.
Presentation Proposals
Submit your proposal by January 1, 2026. All Fraternity members (Collegiate and alumni) are encouraged to apply to present on a topic related to their area of expertise. The presentation can be in a lecture, workshop, panel discussion, poster or lecture/recital format.
Performers (Music Delegates)
Collegiate music delegates must be from chapters in the East Central and North Central Provinces. An alumni music delegate may be any currently affiliated alumni chapter member or affiliate member. Performances may be up to eight minutes long.
Composers
All Fraternity members (Collegiate and alumni) may submit a proposal for an original composition to be performed during Convention. Selections may be no longer than eight minutes and composers must provide musicians to perform the work.
Election of International Officers Of Mu Phi Epsilon, 2026–29
Mu Phi Epsilon will be electing new officers to the International Executive Board in the spring, prior to the 2026 Convention, per the recent change in bylaws. A committee of three members will be appointed to receive names of prospective candidates for international office and investigate their eligibility. Watch the Mu Phi Epsilon website, social channels and emails for the call for nominations this fall and balloting information in the spring.
Fraternity Parliamentarian Needed!
Mu Phi Epsilon needs an experienced parliamentarian to help make International Convention 2026 a success. The parliamentarian must be well-trained in the application of Robert’s Rules of Order and other parliamentary procedures and will assist the presiding officer (the international president) in the orderly conduct of the fraternity’s business sessions by providing rulings on questions of procedure that may arise and also will advise the Resolutions Committee in the transaction of its business. Because the parliamentarian will advise the body and presiding officer during business meetings, that person must be a member in good standing of Mu Phi Epsilon but may not vote. If you would be interested in serving the fraternity in this capacity, please contact Kurt-Alexander Zeller, international president (and former fraternity parliamentarian!), at president@muphiepsilon.org by December 10, 2025.
Nominations Sought for the 2026 Orah Ashley Lamke Award
Orah Ashley Lamke was a charter member of Delta (1905) and later held five national offices. In recognition of her devoted service and dedication to alumni, the 1964 national convention in Lincoln initiated the Orah Ashley Lamke Distinguished Alumna Award, and she was the first to receive it. Since then, her namesake award is given each year to a longtime alumni member who has shown dedication and loyalty at the local level but has not served at the national or international board level.
During convention years, the winner is chosen by the business delegates from the host provinces of the convention. To nominate a member for the 2026 Orah Ashley Lamke Award, please submit a photo and a biography of the nominee (including summary of activities in Mu Phi Epsilon) along with a letter of nomination to International President Kurt-Alexander Zeller at president@muphiepsilon.org by May 15, 2026.
Pearl Street Art Center
Since opening its doors in 2023, the Pearl Street Arts Center has quickly become one of Fort Wayne’s crown jewels — a sleek, modern space where art, culture and community pulse under one roof. Tucked in the heart of downtown, the center buzzes with energy, drawing locals and visitors alike with its soaring architecture, cutting-edge performance spaces, and a calendar brimming with creative activity.
For the 2026 Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention, this remarkable venue will be transformed into our hub for engaging workshops, inspiring presentations and dynamic musical performances. The Pearl Street Arts Center will also provide a spectacular setting for shared meals, conversations and the Foundation’s International Competition.
Sweetwater
As part of the Convention, we’ll spend a half day at Sweetwater, the world’s leading music technology and music retailer. The company began as the brainchild of Fort Wayne local, Chuck Surack, who started the business out of the back of his van in 1979 with a four-track recording studio. From its fully loaded demo studios to its massive band and orchestra gallery, explore Sweetwater’s selection of nearly 1,000 top music brands of music equipment and quality instruments. And don’t forget to check out the slide and arcade!
Explore More in Fort Wayne
Promenade Park
Fort Wayne’s three rivers, the St. Marys, the St. Joseph and the Maumee, converge at Promenade Park. Explore the trails along the water, discover attractions like the treetop canopy trail or take a riverboat cruise on the water.
The Landing
Fort Wayne earned its nickname “The Summit City” in the 1800s when the Wabash and Erie Canal ran through this part of the country and Fort Wayne was situated at the highest point on the run of the canal. At that time, all canals landed along Canal and Columbia streets downtown. Today, this area has become a new point of destination at The Landing, a vibrant block of restaurants, bars and shops.
Ducky’s
The sports bar redefined — offering classic American eats with a gourmet twist, duckpin bowling and refreshing cocktails. Ducky’s is located in The Pearl, next door to The Bradley Hotel.
Public Art Trail
Fort Wayne is home to hundreds of brilliant murals, sculptures and pieces of public art. Murals span alley walls and create a tapestry of story and color. Sculptures adorn public spaces and many serve as functional bike racks. Access an online map of the public art trail at visitfortwayne.com.
The Old Fort
Enjoy a stroll through the sights and sounds of yesteryear at The Old Fort, a faithful reproduction of the post built by American troops under the command of Major John Whistler in 1815. It is the last of three American forts to stand at the junction of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers. Events and programs highlighting the fort’s significance to the Old Northwest Territory, the State of Indiana and the United States are presented on weekends throughout the season.
FRATERNITY AWARDS
2024-2025 ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS
International Fraternity Chapter of the Year
Palos Verdes/South Bay
Chapter of the Year per Tier
Tier 1 — Cleveland Area
Tier 2 — Lincoln
Tier 3 — Austin
Katherine Doepke Award for Creative Programming Cleveland Area — Music is the Reason theme highlighted musicians from different backgrounds and musical persuasions throughout the year.
Outstanding Chapter Newsletter
Tier 1 — Los Angeles
Tier 2 — St. Louis
Tier 3 — Colorado Springs
Outstanding Chapter Newsletter, Honorable Mention
Tier 1 — Palos Verdes/South Bay and Kansas City
Tier 2 — Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas
Noteworthy Community Service Project
Tier 1 — Palos Verdes/South Bay
Tier 2 — Ann Arbor Alumni
Tier 3 — Oklahoma Alumni
Individual Noteworthy Service Projects
Jason Pano (Fullerton Alumni) played in a band for the Rise Against Hunger Event where the members of the Palisades United Methodist Church packed over 10,000 meals.
Garrison Holder (Los Angelas Alumni) rehearsed, prepared and performed in a benefit concert for wildlife relief with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.
Danielle E. Musat (Cleveland Area Alumni) volunteered with In Harmony Therapeutic Services which offers music therapy and enrichment for survivors of abuse and other traumatic experiences.
Nancy Laine (Dallas Alumni) volunteered with Treasured Times, a dementia respite program.
Anli Lin Tong (Palos Verdes/South Bay) — 750 hours
David Champion (Palos Verdes/South Bay) — 750 hours
Linda Mack (Denver Alumni) — 609 hours
Marjorie MacNeal (Cleveland Area Alumni) — 572 hours
Top Five SERV Hours Tier 2
Daniel Shavers (St. Louis Alumni) — 767 hours
Janis Brown (Lincoln Alumni)— 676 hours
Ashley Bouras (Dallas Alumni) — 642 hours
Arietha Lockhart (Atlanta Alumni) — 595 hours
Carol Meyer (Lincoln Alumni) — 553 hours
Top Five SERV Hours Tier 3
Gaylene Joe-Walter (Fresno Alumni) — 414 hours
Joan Bishop (Fresno Alumni) — 311 hours
Total SERV Hours for each Tier
Tier 1 — 13,392 hours
Tier 2 — 10,688 hours
Tier 3 — 2,286 hours
Total Fraternity Hours: 26,366 hours
Top Three Chapter Hours by Tier
Tier 1
Palos Verdes/South Bay — 6,793 hours
Cleveland Area — 2,985 hours
Los Angeles — 1,725 hours
Tier 2
Lincoln — 4,266 hours
St. Louis — 2,138 hours
Atlanta — 2,010 hours
Tier 3
Fresno — 972 hours
Colorado Springs — 574 hours
Indianapolis — 469 hours
Alumni Top 5 for Individual SERV Hours
34 members reported earning over 300 SERV hours
1,031 Liana Sandin (Lincoln Alumni)
795 Gail Gerding-Mellert (Palos Verdes/South Bay Alumni)
785 Patricia Maki (Palos Verdes/South Bay Alumni)
767 Daniel Shavers (St. Louis Alumni)
750 Anli Lin Tong (Palos Verdes/South Bay Alumni)
750 David Champion (Palos Verdes/South Bay Alumni)
2025 COLLEGIATE AWARD WINNERS
International Collegiate Chapter of the Year, Tier 1
Eta Theta, California State University, Long Beach, CA
Tier 2
Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX
Tier 3
Phi Mu, San Jose State, San Jose, CA
Collegiate Chapter of the Year Honorable Mentions: Mu Eta, Univ. of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Beta Mu, East Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX
Phi Omega, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA Epsilon Epsilon, Texas Christian University, Ft. Worth, TX
Outstanding Chapter Service Project To School:
Zeta Omega, Illinois College, brewed something truly special: a free, weekly coffee station in the heart of its School of Music. No tickets, no sign-ups — just a warm cup, a kind word and a moment to breathe. Week after week, members created a ritual of care that turned an ordinary hallway into a hub of connection. By simply showing up with coffee and heart, Zeta Omega built community, nurtured well-being and proved that service doesn’t have to be grand to be extraordinarily impactful.
Honorable Mention, Service Project To School:
Phi Xi, Baylor University, distinguished itself through a consistent, mission-aligned service project: a weekly coffee bar run entirely by students. Designed to support both campus well-being and community outreach, this initiative offered students a welcoming space to connect over coffee while raising funds for a local school’s music program. Phi Xi’s project exemplified the fraternity’s commitment to music, friendship and service — fostering connection within their department and investing in the future of music education.
Outstanding Chapter Service Project To Community:
Phi Mu, San Jose State, made a meaningful impact through the Goody Bags for Girls project, assembling and distributing hygiene and comfort items to women in need. The chapter’s attention to both practical needs and personal care reflected a strong commitment to community service. This hands-on effort directly supported vulnerable individuals and demonstrated the chapter’s values in action.
Honorable Mention, Service Project To Community:
Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University, staged a benefit recital that combined musical excellence with philanthropic purpose. By raising funds for Doctors Without Borders, the chapter extended its service beyond campus and into
global impact. The thoughtful planning and performance showed how music can be a powerful tool for both awareness and support.
Most Overall SERV Hours:
Beta Alpha, California State University, Fullerton
— 1462 hours
Honorable Mention, Overall SERV Hours:
Eta Theta, California State University, Long Beach — 658 hours
Most Reported SERV hours per member:
Beta Alpha, California State University, Fullerton
— 45.8 hours per member
Honorable Mention, SERV hrs per member:
Epsilon Lambda, Eastern Michigan University
— 26.3 hours per member
Most Chapter Total SERV Projects:
Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University — 4 projects
Mu Eta, University of the Pacific — 4 projects
Honorable Mention, Total Chapter SERV Projects
Alpha Kappa, UMKC Conservatory of Music — 3 projects
Beta Omicron, Western Illinois University — 3 projects
Delta Psi, Clayton State University — 3 projects
Epsilon Lambda, Eastern Michigan University — 3 projects
Eta Theta, California State University, Long Beach
— 3 projects
Outstanding Membership Recruitment Awards (includes high number of total initiations, and high ratios of recruitment):
Phi Mu, San Jose State
Beta Eta, California State University, East Bay
Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University
Lambda, Ithaca College
Phi Omega, Westminster College
Eta Theta, California State University, Long Beach
Beta Alpha, California State University, Fullerton
Outstanding Fundraising:
Epsilon Epsilon, Texas Christian University
Alpha Mu, Missouri State University
Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University
Beta Alpha, California State University, Fullerton
Phi Xi, Baylor University
Rylee Lemay Shania Carden
District Directors of the Year:
Rylee Lemay (Beta Alpha, Los Angeles Alumni) and Shania Carden (Beta Alpha), Pacific Southwest District
INTERNATIONAL STERLING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mia Janosik, Mu Eta, University of the Pacific
Mu Phi Epsilon is proud to recognize Mia Janosik of the Mu Eta chapter as the recipient of the 2025 Sterling Achievement Award, the fraternity’s highest collegiate honor.
A summa cum laude graduate in vocal performance from the University of the Pacific with a 3.92 GPA, Janosik exemplifies the ideals of music, scholarship and service.
A decorated performer, Janosik has earned top honors in numerous competitions, including 1st and 2nd place in the NATS California Capital Chapter, Sacramento Master Singers, Kristina Townsend Memorial and Mu Phi Epsilon Sacramento Alumni chapter competitions. She was also named the university’s Concerto Competition Winner in 2025.
Janosik has premiered several student-composed works, including Yellow Wallpaper, A Mother’s Wish, Metamorphosis and DNA, Do Not Ask, showcasing her versatility and artistry as a featured soloist and ensemble performer. She has performed with Pacific Singers, Pacific Opera Theatre and in a variety of chamber settings.
Within Mu Phi Epsilon, Janosik has served as chapter secretary and chapter president, leading Mu Eta through a period of growth and continued musical engagement. She contributes to her campus and local community by teaching private lessons and performing at senior living facilities.
Janosik is a dynamic, inspiring performer and leader whose impact reflects the highest ideals of our fraternity. We celebrate her accomplishments and look forward to her continued contributions to the world of music.
PROVINCE SENIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Central Wendy Doolittle, Zeta Omega North Central Austin Reinke, Beta Pi
Pacific Mia Janosik, Mu Eta
Pacific Northwest Karina May, Phi Lambda
Pacific Southwest Lucy Edwards, Eta Theta
Pacific Southwest Hannah Park, Beta Alpha
PROVINCE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Province Chapter/Institution
Central Alpha Mu
Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
East Central Gamma Eta
Central State University, Wilberforce, OH
Eastern Great Phi Omega Lakes Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Great Lakes Epsilon Lambda
Eastern Michigan Univ, Ypsilanti, MA
Pacific Mu Eta
University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Pacific Phi Lambda Northwest Willamette University, Salem, OR
Pacific Eta Theta
Southwest California State University, Long Beach, CA
WANDA YANG TEMKO Scholarships & Grants Co-Coordinator admin@mpefoundation.org
KIRA DIXON president@mpefoundation.org
ISABEL DE LA CERDA vicepresident@mpefoundation.org
MATTHEW HOCH treasurer@mpefoundation.org
HANNAH PORTER OCCEÑA secretary@mpefoundation.org
DONNA CHRZANOWSKI philanthropies@mpefoundation.org
2025-2026 Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation Scholarships & Grants
Applications available online only at mpefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships
IMPORTANT UPDATES AND REMINDERS
The Foundation Board is excited to announce the 2025-2026 Scholarships & Grants cycle!
Reduced Application Fee for 2025-2026
This year, applicants to Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarships, grants, and awards will pay a reduced fee of $20 per application, as opposed to $25 in past years. We hope that this will increase accessibility and allow members to submit additional applications!
New and Updated Grants and Awards
The Foundation Board is pleased to announce several updates to our Music Education grants. This year, we will offer for the first time the Madeline Blackadore Dahlburg Memorial Music Education Grant. Endowed by a generous gift of the Dahlburg family, this grant honors the life and work of Madeline Dahlburg, an accomplished music educator and member of Mu Phi Epsilon. The grant is available to any professional music educator working in a K-12 music program with demonstrated financial need. Additionally, we have renamed our former “Music Educator Grant” as the “Classroom Experience Grant.” This grant will now support K-12 music educators in enhancing their classroom activities through special activities and programs. Please check out our website to learn more about both of these amazing grants!
We’ve raised the award totals for the Original Composition Awards, as well as the Music Research awards! Winners will now receive $500, $1000, or $1,500, depending on award level. Additionally, due to rising demand, this year, we will be offering two Professional Development grants.
Application Resources: Remember to check out our Application Assistance page, which includes resources for helping you to build your strongest application ever. In addition to our video tutorials, please check out the “Budget Resources” page, which includes a budget template for you to use! We’ve provided information on our “Judging Rubrics” page about the judging process for all applications, including an assessment rubric. Watch out for a new “Statements and Proposals” page to be added this fall providing tips, models, and resources for developing your required application statements, such as project proposals and more.
Eligibility Statement
• Application deadlines for the 2025-2026 Grants and Scholarships Cycle are as follows:
Unless otherwise noted, applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CT March 1, 2026
• November 1, 2025 (by midnight, Central Standard Time): Applications due for the Classroom Experience Grant, Professional Development Grants, Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Grant, and Haupt Alumni Chapter Grant, as well as our new Madeline Blackadore Dahlburg Memorial Music Education Grant.
• March 1, 2026 (by midnight, Central Standard Time): Applications due for all other grants, scholarships, and awards.
• All application fees are non-refundable, even in the case of ineligible or disqualified applications.
• Applicants must be dues-paying members.
• Applicants may apply for more than one grant, scholarship, or award.
• Previous winners can reapply to the same grant or scholarship only after three years (in 2025-2026, these are winners from 2022 and prior), unless otherwise noted. Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grant and the Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Project Grant winners may apply annually.
• A Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarship or grant may only be used to cover eligible expenses as outlined on the “Budget Resources” page provided under Application Assistance on our website (mpefoundation.org).
The Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation encourages all members to apply to our extensive program of grants, scholarships, and awards! For reminders, tips, and information about the process, visit our website (mpefoundation.org) and be sure to follow us on social media.
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship and Grant Applications: Available online only starting January 1, 2026 mpefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships
GENERAL DIVERSITY SCHOLAR GRANT
To be awarded to traditionally underrepresented and minoritized populations such as BIPOC, AAPI, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or projects. 2 awards. Value $2,000
LIANA K. SANDIN GRANTS-IN-AID
For a specific purpose essential to completion of an exceptional musical project or undertaking well beyond the planning stage. 3 awards. Value $2,000
HELEN HAUPT ALUMNI CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS
To support one or more special projects undertaken by an alumni chapter. Previous winners of this grant may re-apply for consideration of a significantly different project. Value up to $2,000
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT
To cover expenses related to a professional development opportunity (e.g., conference, workshop, etc.). May not be used for Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention or District Conference. One or more grants available. 2 awards. Value $2,000
WIESE-ABEGG COLLEGIATE CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS
To help support one or more special projects undertaken by collegiate chapters. Value up to $2,000
INSTRUMENTAL
ALBERTA DENK SCHOLARSHIP FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, DOUBLE BASS
To support a music major’s study of string performance. Value $2,000
BETH LANDIS VIOLIN SCHOLARSHIP
To an undergraduate or graduate music major whose primary instrument is violin. Value $5,000
GERKE COLLEGIATE ARTIST SCHOLARSHIPS
To an undergraduate instrumentalist (woodwinds, brass, percussion, or strings) with a minimum 3.0 GPA. 2 awards. Value $2,000
ELEANOR HALE WILSON CELLO SCHOLARSHIP
To an undergraduate or graduate music major whose primary instrument is cello. Value $2,000
JEAN LOUISE MARTIN SCHOLARSHIP
To an undergraduate or graduate instrumentalist (brass, woodwinds, strings, or percussion) for study in music performance. Value $2,000
KEYBOARD BERNSTEIN-CROSMAN SCHOLARSHIP
For piano study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship. Value $2,000
ELEANOR B. WEILER AND MILDRED B. FRAME PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
To support piano study in France (preferably Paris). One or more scholarships available. Value up to $6,000
HELEN HAUPT PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
To a pianist. Value $2,000
NANCY BROGDEN BOOKER COLLABORATIVE PIANIST AWARD
To a member of Mu Phi Epsilon who has demonstrated facility and continued activity as an accompanist for soloists, choral groups, dancers, or others dependent upon keyboard artists for rehearsals or performances. Value $1,000
WIHLA HUTSON ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP
To an organist. Value $2,000
MUSIC EDUCATION
BETH LANDIS MUSIC EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
For undergraduate or graduate study in music education. Value $5,000
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE GRANT
To assist a professional K-12 music educator for the purpose of enhancing their classroom. Funds must be used to enrich classroom learning through experiential opportunities, such as guest artists and coaches, workshops, festival attendance, collaborative musicians, and/or other special activities. Value $2,000
DR. FRAN IRWIN MUSIC EDUCATION MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
To a junior or senior majoring in music education. Value $2,000
HAZEL B. MORGAN SCHOLARSHIP
For graduate study in music education. Value $2,000
INES PRATT JAMISON SCHOLARSHIP
To a music education major who is studying voice. Value $2,000
NEW! MADELINE BLACKADORE
DAHLBURG MEMORIAL MUSIC EDUCATION GRANT
For a professional music educator working in a K-12 music program with demonstrated financial need (e.g., Title I school). Funds can be used to enhance classroom activities (e.g., special programs or field trips), cover classroom expenses (e.g., instruments or supplies), or support teacher development (e.g., training or certification). Value $2,000
FOUNDATION
MADGE CATHCART GERKE
SCHOLARSHIP
To an applicant in music education with no professional classroom teaching experience who will complete certification requirements at the end of any term of the current academic year. Value $2,000
MUSIC EDUCATOR GRANT
To a professional K-12 music educator to assist with classroom expenses and other supplies. One or more grants available. Value up to $2,000
NADINE WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP
To an applicant currently enrolled in an accredited program of graduate study in music education. Value $2,000
SPECIAL INTERESTS & FIELDS
BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
In memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving music technology. Value $2,000
BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN
SCHOLARSHIP FOR WORLD MUSIC/ MULTICULTURAL MUSIC
In memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving world/multicultural music. Value $2,000
COMMERCIAL MUSIC
To an applicant specializing in commercial music, including any non-classical styles and genres of popular music (e.g., country, folk, pop, rap, rock, R&B, soul, etc.), musical theater, jazz, gospel, traditional and ethnic music, etc. Applicants can be in any field or degree area and can use the funds to support study, research, professional development (e.g., workshops in performance or pedagogy), or other special projects. Value $2,000
ELEANOR HALE WILSON SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
For study at a domestic or international Summer Music Program. Scholarship applications may be made before program acceptance is confirmed. 6 awards. Value $2,000
EARLY MUSIC GRANT
To be awarded to an individual for the study of or a project relating to early music. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or purchase of a period instrument. Value $1,000
EDYTHE G. BURDIN SCHOLARSHIP
To a student studying arts management. Value $2,000
JAMES AND LOLA FAUST CHAMBER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
To a chamber ensemble with one or two Mu Phi Epsilon members (depending on total number of members) demonstrating a performance history of at least two years. Value up to $5,000
JAZZ STUDY GRANT
To support study or a project in jazz performance or composition. Value $2,000
JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CHORAL CONDUCTING OR SACRED MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
For study in choral conducting or sacred music. Value $10,000
JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CONDUCTING/ COACHING SCHOLARSHIP
To support the study of conducting/ coaching. Value up to $10,000
LARGE ENSEMBLE GRANT
To be awarded to an ensemble with at least one member of Mu Phi Epsilon involved in the ensemble. Large ensembles must demonstrate a performance history of at least two years, consist of 11 or more musicians, and have a separate conductor. Ensembles with more Mu Phi Epsilon members will be considered to be of particular application strength. Value $2,000
LAVERNE JACKSON MEMORIAL MUSIC THERAPY SCHOLARSHIP
To an applicant who is enrolled in an accredited music therapy program and will be doing a pre-internship/ internship with a special population. Value $2,000
MABEL HENDERSON MEMORIAL GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY
To support study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship. Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2021. Value $2,000
MARY ALICE COX GRANT FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
To an alumni member, in good standing for 10 years or more at time of application. To be used for continued or renewed development of a mid-career transition in any field of professional music. Value $2,000
MERLE MONTGOMERY DOCTORAL GRANT
To a doctoral candidate whose advanced work toward the degree is at a significant stage of completion. Value $3,000
MUSIC RESEARCH AWARDUNDERGRADUATE
To an undergraduate music student (or recent graduate) for a music research paper (e.g., thesis) or research project. Applicants can be in any field. Value $500
MUSIC RESEARCH AWARDMASTERS
To a master’s level music student (or recent graduate) for a music research paper (e.g., master’s thesis) or research project. Applicants can be in any field. Value $1,000
MUSIC RESEARCH AWARDDOCTORAL
To a doctoral music student (or recent graduate) for a music research paper (e.g., doctoral dissertation) or research project. Applicants can be in any field. Value $1,500
THEORY & COMPOSITION
LILLIAN HARLAN RAMAGE
GRANT FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN COMPOSITION
To a graduate student in composition.
Value $2,000
ELLEN JANE LORENZ PORTER
GRANT FOR GRADUATE WORK IN COMPOSITION
To a graduate student working on an advanced degree in composition. Value $2,000
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD –DIVISION I
To an undergraduate student for an original composition or work. Value up to $500
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD –DIVISION II
To a graduate student or alumni member for an original composition or work. Value up to $1,000
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD –DIVISION III
To a former first prize winner in the Original Composition Divisions I & II. Value $1,500
RUTH DEAN MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP
To an undergraduate student majoring in music theory or composition. Value $2,000
VOICE
BRENA HAZZARD VOICE SCHOLARSHIP
To any Mu Phi Epsilon member pursuing vocal study, awarded on behalf of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter. Value $5,000
ELIZABETH BOLDENWECK VOICE SCHOLARSHIP
For undergraduate study in voice. Value $2,000
LIANA K. SANDIN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP
For a vocal project or vocal study. Value $2,000
MIKANNA CLARK TAURMAN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP
For study in voice beyond the undergraduate level. Value $2,000
SARA EIKENBERRY VOICE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
To a mezzo-soprano or contralto undergraduate voice student. Value $2,000
SARA EIKENBERRY VOICE
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
To a mezzo-soprano or contralto graduate voice student. Value $2,000
Harpist Laurel Federbush (Gamma, Ann Arbor Alumni) was commissioned to compose three pieces to accompany the flutist Deborah Rebeck Ash poetry book Flying Past Grief. The works were performed during an Ann Arbor Alumni chapter meeting last fall.
Ann Geiler (Phi Theta, St. Louis Alumni) has been appointed the director of the Alton Youth Symphony in Alton, Illinois. The AYS has served the Alton and surrounding communities for over 50 years offering a free full orchestra and string experience for grades 3-8. She has been the director of the Chamber Strings for five years and is co-director and one of the founders of the Riverbend Community Orchestra.
Alejandro Alberto (Omega Omega, Denver Alumni) was awarded the Graduate Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Dissertation from the University of Northern Colorado for his dissertation titled “El Salvador’s Cultural Memory and María de Baratta’s Piano Music: Kushkatan, Nahualismo and the Representation of Indigeneity.”
Joe (Mu Kappa) and Lynn Maloy (Mu Kappa, Colorado Springs Alumni) performed a two piano memorial concert to honor their son, Deputy Josh Maloy, who was killed in a car crash December 24, 2023. During the concert held in April, the Colorado Springs Alumni chapter supported the recital with refreshments, publicity and love.
Amy Canchola (Kappa, Dallas Alumni) has been hired as adjunct faculty in the Vocal Division of East Texas A&M University School of Music in Commerce, Texas.
Tanner Wilson (Beta Alpha, Fullerton Alumni) was named San Diego State University’s Staff Advisor of the Year. He is an undergraduate advisor in the College of Education Office for Student Success.
The Beta Pi chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University held its spring initiation ceremony during a spring luncheon and musicale event hosted by the Lincoln Alumni chapter. Five new Collegiate members were initiated.
Kristín Jónína Taylor (Alpha Kappa, Lincoln Alumni) was named the winner of the professional division of piano performance award for The American Prize for her performance of Bryan Stanley’s Piano Sonata No. 2.
Peace, a choral work composed by Lorna Katz (Gamma Sigma, Palos Verdes/ South Bay Alumni) was premiered at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in August 2024 by the Los Angeles Korean-American Music Association’s Chorale and Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hyeji Seo (Denver Alumni) released an album titled The Melodies from East Asia (PARMA/Navona, July 2025).
She is an assistant professor of practice, collaborative piano at Colorado State University School of Music.
Founders Day Message
NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Every Founders Day, we repeat that Dr. Winthrop S. Sterling and Elizabeth Mathias Fuqua founded Mu Phi Epsilon on November 13, 1903, at the Metropolitan College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio — but what do we mean by that? What does it really mean to be a founder? My mother was an English teacher, and when in doubt, I still do what she always taught us: I consult the dictionary. Defining one’s terms is almost always a good first step in seeking clarity. Here’s what my trusty Webster’s New Collegiate says about the verb “to found”:
1. To take the first steps in building
2. To set or ground on something solid: BASE
3. To establish (as an institution) often with provision for future maintenance.
What leaps out at me from these definitions is the unfinished nature of the business of founding. To found something is to take (only) the first steps in building whatever that something is eventually to become. It is to create a solid base for whatever will be erected on that base. It is to establish something, trusting that it will be maintained in the future.
Dr. Winthrop S. Sterling and Elizabeth Mathias Fuqua did their job in founding Mu Phi Epsilon 122 years ago, but that job was to take the first steps to establish Mu Phi Epsilon on a solid base — a base which it is now our job to maintain and to continue to build up and augment into the future. We today must be the founders who take steps to create something secure for future generations to build upon. We must, like our fraternity’s original founders, imagine new ideas and ways of acting, innovate to establish them and, in so doing, inspire those who come after us in the future to continue building a world full of music, friendship and harmony through Mu Phi Epsilon. I hope many of you will join the discussion in your chapters, with other chapters, with your board and especially at Convention 2026 this summer in Fort Wayne to do just that.
Winthrop and Elizabeth took those first steps — now it’s your turn to build the next story! How will we keep it solid into the future?
Kurt-Alexander Zeller, International President
LET US CLAP FOR YOU!
Send your newsworthy member and chapter news to editor@muphiepsilon.org for consideration in Applause & Encore. Please include a high-resolution photo and any identifying information.
United in Music, United in Mission
Your gift fuels scholarships, programs and the future of Mu Phi Epsilon
Pledge $1,200 or more and receive the Fraternity Anniversary Pin.
Pledge $600-$1,119 and receive the Foundation Anniversary Pin.
s we look ahead to our upcoming Mu Phi Epsilon Triennial Convention, we are reminded of the strength, unity and passion that binds our musical family together. The Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and the Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity remain steadfast in their commitment to support members through scholarships, grants and programs that promote musicianship, scholarship and service.
This year also marks the final stretch of the 120/60 Campaign, honoring 120 years of Mu Phi Epsilon and 60 years of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation. The campaign concludes on November 12, 2025, and your support can make a lasting impact as we close this historic chapter.
In the spirit of unity, the Foundation and Fraternity have come together to offer a single platform for giving, allowing you to contribute to either or both organizations easily. Donors also have the opportunity to join our special giving circles:
• Golden Benefactor Circle — $1,000
• Onyx Circle — $5,000
(Contributions may be made as a lump sum or over 10 annual installments.)
Your gift, no matter the amount, directly supports our members and programs — ensuring Mu Phi Epsilon continues to nurture musicianship and service for generations to come.
As we gather at Convention to reflect, reconnect and recommit to our mission, we invite you to be a part of this legacy. Help us build a stronger future for Mu Phi Epsilon through your generosity and love for music.
Musically, Isabel De La Cerda Vice President, Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation
Dr.
Kurt-Alexander Zeller President, Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity
Enid Peterson
Phi Zeta, November 17, 1942
Died October 31, 2024
Pianist, Clarinetist. After high school, Enid attended Morningside College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music. After graduating in 1945, Enid began her teaching career in Hornick, Iowa and later taught vocal music and English at in the Anthon-Oto Community School District (Iowa). After raising her family, Enid worked at Western Iowa Tech Community College as an assistant word processing manager. She retired in 2006. Enid had a profound love for music. She was very musically inclined, playing piano, clarinet and violin. Over the years, she taught piano lessons to hundreds of children as well as giving clarinet lessons. She was also a substitute organist St. Paul Lutheran ChurchMidway and an avid card player.
Florence “Betty” Curtiss
Phi Kappa, February 9, 1951
Died January 15, 2025
Detroit Area Alumni
Pianist, Organist, Vocalist. At 9 years of age, Betty started her piano training. She continued her studies through college, as well as organ and voice training. She graduated from Wayne State University, Detroit, in 1953 with a liberal arts degree in music. She continued her studies at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she earned a music education degree. She returned home to Detroit where she began her teaching career at Emerson
FINAL NOTES
ANN GEILER, THIRD VICE PRESIDENT/ALUMNI ADVISOR, PHI THETA, ST. LOUIS ALUMNI ALUMNIADVISOR@MUPHIEPSILON.ORG
Elementary School. Betty and her husband, Bill, were married in 1957. Betty took time away from work to raise her children while they were young. In the late ’60s, she returned to teaching. In 1972, she started teaching in Farmington Public Schools, where she taught for 19 years. After her retirement, she continued teaching private piano lessons. Betty had a passion for music and lived to share her joy of music with others. She was a member of the church choir at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and previously played organ. She was involved in other music organizations including the Rochester Symphony Guild and Friends of Four Hands. One of Betty’s greatest joys was becoming a grandmother. She enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in their music education.
Wanda Parsons Harris Alpha Alpha, October 28, 1967
Died May 17, 2025
Pianist. Wanda earned a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University in 1950. A gifted pianist, she played with the Dayton (Ohio) Philharmonic Orchestra for 32 seasons and taught music at Wright State University, inspiring countless students. Wanda also brought leadership to the business world as head of personnel at Hewitt Soap Company, retiring in 1991 after earning recognition for her exemplary service. She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, nurturing her five children in the arts and creating a home filled with warmth and creativity.
Karen Elizabeth Fasoldt Holtkamp
Phi Theta, April 23, 1962
Died June 3, 2025
Cleveland Area Alumni
Educator, Organist. Karen graduated from Lindenwood College and after a short career as a public school music teacher, she took off for New York City in her VW bug to pursue other opportunities in music. After many years at the Riverside Church, she was head of Murtagh/ McFarlane Artist Management. From 1976 to 2000, she represented the world’s finest concert organists from the U.S. and abroad along with choirs in the English choral tradition. She was a devoted church musician throughout her life, serving as organist and conductor at multiple churches. She was so very knowledgeable about so many facets of music and music making that she was the go-to person in the Cleveland Chapter when questions regarding music and Mu Phi came up. Karen was very invested in keeping the Phi Omicron chapter at the Cleveland Institute of Music viable in the last few years. She will be missed immensely by all the Cleveland Alumni members.
Patricia Lou (McCamy) Hill
Epsilon Epsilon, May 21, 1948
Died July 29, 2025
Dallas Alumni
Pianist. Pat started taking piano lessons at age 6. While in high school, she accompanied many church and school functions. She also played the tuba in the band. Pat attended Texas Christian University
majoring in music and graduating with a degree in piano pedagogy. At TCU, she was the pianist in the Faculty String Quartet, accompanied the ballet classes and taught piano off campus. While Pat was teaching piano off and on in the ensuing years she worked as the administrative assistant for the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She opened a health food and vitamin store and ran that for 20 years and then opened a bed and breakfast in her home until 2006. Pat was active in the Dallas music community. She was a life member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, past president of both the Fifth District Texas Federation of Music Clubs and the Melodie Club and served as president of the Dallas Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. She also spent time as a reading tutor, delivering Meals on Wheels, an elder at Northridge Presbyterian Church and giving guided tours to visitors at the Dallas Arboretum. Pat’s philosophy of life was “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Secondly, she found that “moderation in all things” allowed her to do a lot of things in her life, but, consequently, she said she excelled at none! The Dallas Alumni members appreciate everything Pat did for the chapter and they will miss Pat and her sense of humor.
