A Life IN PERFECT HARMONY
Frances Walton’s 97-year journey of music and mentorship
Meet the latest ACME honorees.
1 President’s Message: Mu Phi Epsilon Wants You at Convention 2026! by Kurt-Alexander Zeller
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
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KURT-ALEXANDER ZELLER, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, MU CHI, ATLANTA ALUMNI PRESIDENT@MUPHIEPSILON.ORG
MU PHI EPSILON WANTS YOU AT CONVENTION 2026!
reat things are always worth waiting for — and we have a great thing coming up only a year from now:
Mu Phi Epsilon’s 2026 International Convention! It will take place July 23-25, 2026 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for a great time of Music, Friendship and Harmony!
Seriously, this means YOU! Mu Phi Epsilon wants YOU there. Although every chapter is required by our bylaws to send a delegate to Convention, if those delegates are the only people who show up, Convention will be a mere shadow of what it should be. Imagine a family reunion at which only one person from each household attended. That wouldn’t be much of a reunion. For our triennial fraternal reunion, we want the whole Mu Phi Epsilon family tree in attendance. One reason Fort Wayne was chosen as our convention venue is that over 60% of our total membership can pile in the SUV and be there in a day’s drive or less.
At our last Convention, in 2023, a task force was commissioned to study past Conventions, poll the membership and make recommendations about ways to attract more members, particularly members who are not business delegates, to attend Convention and thus to create economies of scale.
At this writing in spring of 2025, there still are elements of Convention that aren’t finalized, but we will be implementing the report of the Convention Task Force in several ways. First, Convention will be one day shorter than it has been in the recent past, which will make it more affordable both for participants and for the Fraternity itself. Second, we will be right in down-
town Fort Wayne, so attendees can get out and explore the city on foot during their free time. We’ll be housed at The Bradley, a boutique hotel decorated by the internationally renowned design firm of Vera Bradley (headquartered in Fort Wayne) and ranked last year by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 10 best hotels in the Midwest.
Most of the Convention, however, will happen right across the street at the brand-new Pearl Street Arts Center, where we will have concerts and the International Artist Competition in a real auditorium purpose-built for music, not a hotel ballroom. Many of our meals will be catered in the Pearl Street Arts Center, saving us the expense of convention hotel food and beverage minimums.
Another attraction of Fort Wayne is the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Sweetwater, one of the world’s largest music and audio equipment retailers. You’ll want to see for yourself how this enormous operation, from which many of you have been ordering the tools of your artistry for years, meets the musical needs of a nation.
And of course, nothing beats all the wonderful music when Mu Phis get together! Watch for the announcements from our music advisor, Marshall Pugh, about the 2026 Convention Chorus and the call for Music delegates. The more of you who come, the more opportunities there will be to revel in Friendship, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. And we will build Mu Phi Harmony, holding informative workshops, conducting inspiring ceremonies and installing our new leaders for the 2026-2029 triennium. It won’t be the same without YOU, so start making your plan now to be there!
MAKE PLANS NOW TO JOIN US IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA JULY 23-25, 2026
We’ll be anchored at The Bradley, a boutique hotel in the city’s charming historic downtown area. It’s located steps away from the Pearl Street Arts Center — a purpose-built musical space where we’ll host engaging performances — and The Landing, a one-block pedestrian mall lined with restaurants.
• SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
• SUBMIT YOUR COMPOSITION!
• BECOME A MUSIC DELEGATE!
a pillar of support for music, arts and education
and it will be our base for Convention presentations and
Above: Pearl Street Arts Center represents
in Fort Wayne —
musical performances.
UNDER COVER
MUSICAL TO TELL THE STORY OF JOURNALIST NELLIE BLY’S RACE AROUND THE WORLD
happen to be a creative person, to the extreme. I write fictional stories, essays, poetry and also compose and perform music. I have a classical background so I am comfortable in that arena. My comfort zone extends to jazz, pop and anything improvisational. One thing that I enjoy beyond anything, is putting words to music or vice versa, music to words. So the genre of the musical is right in my cluster of favorites. Of course, having to deal with the everyday demands of surviving in this world, I experience a lot of procrastination when it comes to large projects.
“I’m too tired.” “I have to go shopping.” “I have to make a trip to the bank.” “I have to cook dinner.” The distractions are endless, as anybody who has completed a large piece knows. The task of developing a musical has felt monumental, though it may pale in comparison to a Beethoven symphony or the sculpting of Mount Rushmore.
Several years ago, I was in the library in Palos Verdes when a cover of a new book — Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World — captured my attention and made my eyebrows raise. Initially, I thought of the musical Around the World, inspired by the well-known Jules Verne novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. As I held the book, I saw the iconic
American journalist Nellie Bly, in a publicity photo for her around-the-world voyage. The cutline on the original photo reads: “Nellie Bly, the New York World’s correspondent who placed a girdle ’round the Earth in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes.”
picture of Nelly Bly in her custom-made dress and handbag, and I had to delve deeper. As I opened the cover, there was another connection. Another library patron had previously checked Eighty Days out on my birthday. There was that familiar date, right on the inside. That was all I needed, and I soon became engrossed in the book.
As the story progressed in all of its complexities, all I could think was, “This has to be a musical!” Each character had a bold personality, and the two main women, Elizabeth Cochran (Nelly Bly) and Elizabeth Bisland, presented a clear contrast to each other. Each one broke down walls for their gender in the fields of journalism and writing. Blues, ragtime and boogie-woogie music were flourishing, and though I absolutely do NOT restrict my music to only those timely genres, I did use those stylistic resources for some of the scoring. I also was inspired by jazz and swing, classical, folk, and more.
Though inspired at that first reading, I did not jump on the project. “Someday” I would get to it, and I tried to believe.
LESLIE SHARP, GAMMA SIGMA, PALOS VERDES SOUTH BAY
About Nelly Bly
COVID offered such an opportunity. I was stuck at home and had no excuse whatsoever. Lyrics began coming to me, and as the words inspired a particular genre, I put them to music accordingly. It was very exciting to see a musical gradually take shape. I still dragged my feet. I’d work on it for a while, intensely, and then push it out of the way for months as something else demanded my focus.
When it was time to enter the music into software, I realized that lead sheets and chords were not going to be adequate. So I found a large degree of patience and began to have great fun using the symphony of instruments that came along with any notation software. I primarily used MuseScore. This turned out to be the most fun part, and I orchestrated and arranged more than 20 songs. The musical styles contrast nicely with each other, and I believe it keeps the story interesting, especially to younger audiences who have access to every kind of music on the planet.
I’ve been told that the words are quite witty — Lenita McCallum Witherspoon (Phi Iota, Palos Verdes Alumni) has been a willing listener as the music progresses and she has offered valuable insight and direction on some of the songs. I have a full three acts. The most demanding on any one vocalist is the first act. Elizabeth Cochran, aka, Nelly Bly, sings most of the songs. I also have the inmates of the Blackwell’s Island Women’s Lunatic Asylum singing their own woes and laments. Most of these songs have a comedic edge to them, and this is a necessary part of any
Nellie Bly became a star journalist by going undercover as a patient at a Blackwell’s Island, a New York City women’s asylum, in 1887 and exposing its terrible conditions in the New York World. Her reporting not only raised awareness about mental health treatment and led to improvements in institutional conditions, it also ushered in an age of investigative journalism. Her illustrious career also included a headline-making journey around the world, running an oil manufacturing firm, and reporting on World War I from Europe.
successful musical, in my experience. At the asylum is a cruel and sadistic nurse, and I gave a song of her own, “This is Charity.”
The repeated line is “This is charity it’s not about much …”
I have created a website, and have put up two songs, finally figuring out how to make the YouTube links come alive. Only one of the two has a vocal recording, but soon I’ll have a vocalist do the part on top of the symphonic score as well. As each song gets recorded with the vocal track, I will place a little more on the site.
Right now, I’m eager to put together an amateur performance or even just a staged reading! As I would hope to have it, the staged reading would include actual actors as characters singing their songs. Some people have suggested that I do pre-record all of the music with my vocals. However, though I can get through each song, I don’t possess enough vocal and acting abilities to put it across as it should be and the delivery suffers.
Though the story and music are quite captivating and accessible, the music is nevertheless demanding to perform. The wide range of quick lyrics with lots of words requires some reasonable acting ability. Very little is operatic, mostly musical theater and/ or a pop vocal approach. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with other Mu Phi members.
Elizabeth Cochran (aka Nellie Bly) at 26 years old, circa 1890.
The New York City Lunatic Asylum at Blackwell’s Island
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.
DAVID RAIKLIN (Omega Omega, LA Alumni)
American composer, digital creator, producer, educator and host David Raiklin is an award-winning commissioned composer and a prolific composer of concert, film and television works. He has scored over 100 movies and composed over 100 concert and occasional pieces. He has worked for the major studios including Sony, Fox, Disney, Sprint, Mattel, Warner Bros and PBS, and on independent productions. Raiklin was mentored by Oscar winner John Williams and Pulitzer Prize winner Mel Powel. His projects have starred Elliott Gould, Doug Jones, Blythe Danner and Martin Sheen. Raiklin made the New York Film Critics Top Ten with the documentary Heist, was short listed for an Academy Award for Worth, and won a Los Angeles Area Emmy for Mia, A Dancer’s Journey. He loves creating augmented reality and soaring concert music. His works have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall. Raiklin studied at the University of Southern California and CalArts and later taught at those universities along with UCLA, Eastman and UC San Diego among others. Raiklin is the current president of the National Association of Composers USA LA chapter and a retired physician.
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.
CLAUDIA NAVARRO JAMESON (Beta Kappa, Dallas Alumni)
Claudia Navarro Jameson is the current president of the Dallas Alumni chapter. As an artist, Jameson is no stranger to the stage. She has performed in musicals and operas as a soloist and chorus member and she has been a choral director. She began singing ingenue roles professionally at the age of 18 while a freshman in college. She has performed in musicals and operas, sung as a member of the Dallas Civic Chorus, and been a choral director at Southern Methodist University. As a composer, Jameson has composed many short children’s songs in Spanish and English to teach educational content. In recent years, she wrote the libretto for Anám the Witch and Beatrice the Beautiful, the opera composed by Mary Alice Rich for elementary-aged children, many of whom are bilingual. In the performance of this Mexican fairy tale by the Diversitá Opera Company, Jameson directed the production as well as acted as the company’s costumer and sang the role of Anám. The opera was performed at the 2023 Mu Phi Convention for which the Dallas Alumni chapter served as host. As an educator, Jameson has taught bilingual education at public schools for over 20 years. She has been a dedicated, active member of Mu Phi Epsilon serving in many positions. She is a thoughtful, sensitive teacher, mother, grandmother and friend. Members of the Dallas Alumni chapter and others she supports have benefited from her considerate attention as they have aged. This goes beyond any expectations of friendship or allegiance to the chapter.
LEI WENG
(Alpha Alpha, Denver Alumni)
Steinway Artist Lei Weng enjoys a successful international career as an accomplished pianist, a dedicated teacher and a sought-after adjudicator and clinician. As an artist, Weng has performed at prestigious venues and music festivals around the globe. A frequent concerto soloist, Weng has appeared with over 40 orchestras worldwide. An avid chamber music performer, he has collaborated with musicians from major symphonies. He has served as jury member in multiple international piano competitions. As an educator, Weng is a much sought after pedagogue. He is the keyboard area head and professor of piano at the University of Northern Colorado. He is the founder and director of the Colorado International Piano Academy and Festival. Previously, he was the chairman of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation keyboard scholarships.
A LEGACY LIVES ON
Donation of instruments helps Geary, Oklahoma, band program rise from the ashes
ometime after 10:00 p.m. on March 22, a fire broke out in the gymnasium of Geary High School in rural Geary, Oklahoma. While much of the school was spared, some classrooms were destroyed along with the gym.
The sleepy, no stoplight town located about 50 miles west of Oklahoma City registered a population of 994 in 2020. Enrollment at the high school hovers around 75 students and nearly 63% of those students are economically disadvantaged. It’s the type of place where a young music school graduate might hope to make a direct impact on the 15 to 20 students in the band program. That’s what Kera Wallis envisioned when she accepted the position of middle/high school band director in January 2025.
Just two months later, the Geary band room and all its instruments went up in flames.
“Almost immediately, the music community across the state of Oklahoma rallied around Ms. Wallis, her students, the school and the band program to hold fundraisers and donate instruments,” says Kathleen Jung (Gamma Gamma, Oklahoma Alumni), president of the Oklahoma Alumni chapter and music teacher at Elk City Elementary. “The Oklahoma Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon also stepped in to help.”
Each year, Oklahoma Alumni hosts a Sweet Serenade Dessert Show. The program features performances by chapter members, their students and Collegiate scholarship finalists. At the conclusion of the event, the chapter awards scholarships and all attendees enjoy homemade desserts. Attendees offer monetary donations or nonperishable food items for admission. Food items are donated to local food banks or town blessing boxes where chapter member live and work.
“Typically, monetary donations are utilized to assist in the chapter’s grant and scholarship efforts,” Jung says. “However, chapter leadership decided that donations collected for this year’s
Sweet Serenade should benefit Ms. Wallis and the Geary band program.”
The event, held on March 29 — mere days after the devastating fire — raised $525 toward the rebuilding of the Geary band program. The tragedy touched the heartstrings of many chapter members, but none more than Jung, whose personal connections made the effort to support Wallis and her band quite poignant.
“I’ve taught music for 12 years,” Jung says. “In fall 2024, I accepted my first student teacher from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. That student teacher was Ms. Kera Wallis. But that’s not where my connection stops.”
Jung’s late husband, Dillon Jung was the band director at Geary during the 2015-2016 school year. It was his first band director position after graduating college. He was working there when the couple wed on November 21, 2015.
“Dillon was extremely passionate about band and teaching music,” Jung says. “He would scour social media posts and pawn shops for instruments he could collect, fix up and use to demonstrate proper technique for his students. He collected a flute, trumpet and trombone. He used my beginner clarinet and he was a saxophone player.”
After Dillon’s death on September 5, 2021, those instruments sat unused in Jung’s house for years.
“Initially, I couldn’t bear to part with them,” Jung says. “They were part of Dillon and his legacy in the band world. I always told myself that I would donate them to a deserving band program when the time was right. When the call for donated instruments to help Geary was shared throughout the music community in our state, I knew what needed to happen.”
Jung donated four of the instruments — flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone — and chose to keep Dillon’s saxophone. Other Oklahoma Alumni chapter members also donated instruments from their families.
Kathleen (Gamma Gamma, Oklahoma Alumni) and Dillon Jung were married on November 21, 2015.
“The Geary band is alive and well because of people in the community,” Wallis says. “I am extremely grateful and appreciative of the help I received from across the state. We will continue to be strong because of people and organizations like Mu Phi Epsilon. The Pride of Geary continues, thanks to you.”
For Jung, the full circle moment not only affirms the closeknit music community in Oklahoma, but honors Dillon’s memory and love of band.
“It was too coincidental that my first student teacher was hired for her first job at Dillon’s first band program,” Jung says. “Dillon loved every student he taught and was always willing to help anyone in need. He would not have hesitated for one second to help Ms. Wallis, her students and the school. He would be happy that the instruments he spent time, money and energy finding, fixing up and playing for his students were being put to good use and still being used to educate music students in Oklahoma.”
Betty Cain (Gamma Gamma, Oklahoma Alumni), Misty Hickman (Omega Omega, Oklahoma Alumni) and Tiffany Ragan (Gamma Gamma, Oklahoma Alumni) perform during the Oklahoma Alumni’s 2025 Sweet Serenade event.
Kera Wallis student teaching in Kathleen Jung’s classroom in fall 2024.
rances Walton (Tau) is one of the most radiant, enthusiastic and gifted musicians I have ever met. When she comes into a room or lifts her baton to start a rehearsal, you just feel her great love of music shine through. Over her 97 years she has inspired many young musicians in the greater Seattle area and they still call or stop by to visit her — one from as far away as Norway, just a few months ago.
Walton spent the first six years of her life in Inglewood, Calif. When she was 6, Walton’s family moved to Tacoma, Wash. Her best friend’s father was the superintendent of music in the Tacoma School District. He discovered Walton’s talent for piano and put her on the radio.
“It made me feel wonderfully special,” Walton says. “I had the opportunity as a teenager of performing weekly on Tacoma Broadcasting and loved every minute of it. I could play anything of my choice — Chopin, Gershwin, Irving Berlin and the current operetta that was being rehearsed and performed at my high school, Stadium High School.”
Walton describes her role as pianist in the high school orchestra as “terrific fun” because it was her job to play the instruments that were not there. That meant transposing the trumpet and clarinet, both B flat instruments, and French horn, which is a fifth up or a fourth down, depending on the situation.
“There were infinite variables at my disposal,” she says. On stage, the singers and the dancers had memorized their parts, but the orchestra was reading printed music and learned to quickly transpose if the singers slipped a half step or a whole step. One night during a performance, the lights went out, and some-
In 2023, Walton shared some of her thoughts with students at Seattle Pacific University:
“ When you play with others, such as in a string quartet, there is a kinetic energy which exists. It is something that is so compelling that you are pulled into it. You can’t ignore it.”
one yelled “fire.” Walton didn’t know if there was an actual fire, but there were only two small entrances to the auditorium which seated 5,000 people. So Walton decided to keep playing because she had memorized the score in case she needed to transpose or fill in other parts suddenly. The performance continued in the dark and because of that, the audience filed out of the auditorium very quietly and safely. “There was no fire,” Walton says. “But panic was aborted, and that was the big news.”
When Stanley Chapple — an assistant to Sergei Koussevitzky, the long-tenured music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra — came to University of Washington as the director of the School of Music, Walton was a conducting student in the master’s program. She was the only woman, but also the only pianist who could score read in any of the classes, so she had an opportunity to leap ahead of her classmates. Even though woman conductors were uncommon at the time, Walton displayed an aptitude for conducting that many of her male counterparts could not match.
She began to be known as a conductor for adults as well as youth in the region. She conducted the Bellingham Symphony, Thalia Symphony and Everett Symphony and was founding music director of Philharmonia Northwest — the first chamber symphony in the Pacific Northwest, established in 1976. “I think
amateur musicians are the most extraordinary and most unique and a joy to work with,” she says.
When Walton started the Eastside Youth Symphony in 1964, which became the Bellevue Youth Symphony — “a lot of kids wanted to be on the ski slopes on Saturdays” — at the same time that the Seattle Youth Symphony was rehearsing. But they could participate in the Bellevue Youth Symphony which practiced on Monday nights, also playing smaller orchestral literature like Mozart, Beethoven or Brahms.
“ I think humility is not too hard to find if you are a musician.”
“It was a wonderful opportunity,” Walton says. “I loved it and I loved learning right along with the kids. I look back on it with a huge smile. I think I’ve had more fun than I ever had in my whole life learning scores and studying right along with my wonderful youth symphony and their desire to learn. We started with Beethoven Symphony No. 1 and went right through and three years later we were playing Beethoven No 9. What a journey.”
Musical Roots
Walton’s mother grew up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, a mining town in the eastern part of the state. After school, she waited for the miners, who were mostly Welshman, to come up from
the mines. Although they were tired and weary, the men always sang and Walton’s mother noticed that it wasn’t in two or three part harmony, but eight to 12 parts. The miners always managed to find their pitch, and it was remarkably complex.
“My mother was a self-taught pianist and had the kind of ear that could hear a complex tune once and play it immediately,” Walton says. “When I was a child, her piano playing and singing didn’t seem like anything unusual, except when I had birthday parties. After the wonderful lunches of spaghetti and meatballs, the biggest part of the party seemed to be gathering around the piano and singing camp songs.”
Her mother’s complex harmonic development caught Walton’s ear immediately and she thought maybe she could also play piano that way without reading any music. Walton did so until she reached the third grade and fell in love with Debussy. “I could sing the whole tone scale but it didn’t fit into the well-tempered scale,” Walton says.
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Connie Knudson is the product of a Norwegian mother and a Swedish father. She was brought up emphasizing her superior musical talent. She had a fine ear and a love of playing violin that wouldn’t quit. Her teacher, Eugene Nastri, was an Italian man who appreciated her genius and loved the fact that of his remarkable class, she was the youngest and the best. On Walton’s return to Norway, she took her youth symphony on its first tour in 1978, with Connie as the featured soloist in the Sibelius Violin Concerto which later became the Bellevue Youth Symphony. “It was an amazing work,” Walton says. “The kids were mesmerized by the complexity and the fun of playing Sibelius. We visited London, Aberdeen (Scotland), Kirkintilloch (Scotland), Aalesund (Norway) and Hamburg (Germany), traveling up the Elbe River.”
“So I asked Mom if I could have piano lessons for a way out of this dilemma. She said ‘sure’ and I ultimately studied for many years with Leonard Anderson.”
Walton’s parents encouraged her to attend a liberal arts col-
France Walton (front) plays in a string quartet weekly with (from left) Ann Rackl, Kathy Zufall and Janice Gockel.
A Switch to Strings
At age 27 with three young children, Walton traded her piano career for the cello. She had always wanted to play the cello and this time she became a serious student of the celebrated musician Eva Heinitz, who was then teaching at the University of Washington. Walton played in many orchestras (performing several concertos) and chamber groups including weekly string quartets to this day. She has been a cellist and performer with the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle and in 1990, she founded what has now become a national competition for young professional classical musicians, the Frances Walton Competition. Learn more at https://lmcseattle.org.
“ Follow your instincts. What you feel as a natural response is often the best and the simplest.”
lege, and she chose Washington State University in eastern Washington. In college, she entered the Greater Inland Empire Competition, winning first place with the Chopin F Minor concerto. During the performance following the award ceremony, Walton remembers blanking out and realizing she was unaware of what was going on. She kept her left hand going with the orchestra and eventually, her right hand caught up.
“The conductor, Paul Waelan, took a big red handkerchief out of his back pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow,” Walton says. “I was mortified, but thankful that I finally found my way out of this black hole. Talk about learning from your mistakes. I learned that I could fight my way through and come out the other side. It was a great feeling to know that I could survive and not let the musicians and the composer down.”
“ I can’t remember all my success, but I remember every one of my mistakes and have profited by learning from them.”
Of all of her performances, one that Walton remembers fondly occurred on board ship in the middle of the South China Sea. She was a passenger on a holiday cruise and there happened to be a band with a Steinway B grand piano on stage. One afternoon when no one was there, Walton took a chance and played to her heart’s content on the piano. That evening, the announcer asked Walton to come on stage and play Clair de Lune by Debussy.
“I was so surprised,” Walton says. “I leapt at the chance and got on stage and started the magical beginning. The audience hadn’t expected it. I didn’t expect it but it was a moment of sheer
joy, and it was a wonderful listening audience. It’s really true that there is a trinity of music: the composer, the performer and the audience, three equal and caring parts. That night, Debussy had it all — and so did the audience and I.”
Although she no longer conducts symphonies, at age 97, Walton still plays cello in a string quartet that’s met weekly for the past 35 years. As she reflects on her life, she can’t help but be grateful for the role music has played in enriching her years and serving as a catalyst to forming lasting relationships. Though the Seattle Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon has been inactive for years, Walton remains a proud life member who cherishes her memories of music and the friendships forged through shared musical adventures.
“I have loved this world,” Walton says. “And will never ever be sorry that I was a part of it. I am so grateful that God has bestowed this gift of music on this humble lady.”
Kathryn Zufall, MD, grew up in New Jersey playing violin in a string quartet with her sisters. Zufall was a medical intern in Seattle in 1979 when her violin teacher introduced her to Frances Walton. Over the next decade, Zufall married, had three sons and worked about 60 hours a week in her internal medical practice with little time for music. Once her youngest reached kindergarten, Zufall reconnected with Walton, who has been a great mentor and inspiration to her ever since. They have played concerts together and still play string quartets every Wednesday with friends. Walton shares a special place in Zufall’s family and has played at her sons’ weddings. Now retired, Zufall has even more time for music and her seven wonderful grandchildren.
APPLAUSE & ENCORE
Anám The Witch and Beatrice the Beautiful, the children’s opera composed by Mary Alice Rich, patron of the Dallas Alumni chapter, and written by Claudia Navarro Jameson (Beta Kappa, Dallas Alumni) will be featured at Texas Christian University during its 2025-2026 season.
LET US CLAP FOR YOU!
Send your newsworthy member and chapter news to editor@muphiepsilon.org for consideration in Applause & Encore. Please include a sharp, high-resolution photo and include any identifying information, including the place, date, event or award, and name(s).
Members of Beta Alpha at CSU Fullerton, Gamma Sigma at CSU Dominguez Hills and Eta Theta at CSU Long Beach held a joint social in April where they met at a park and shared in food and games together.
Wanda Yang Temko (Eta Eta, Atlanta Alumni), at left, sang the National Anthem as part of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus Quartet at the Atlanta Braves opening game in April.
Lincoln Alumni provided a luncheon for a piano master class taught by Larry Jones, patron of Lincoln Alumni and Beta Pi, at Nebraska Wesleyan University in March. Pictured from left are Wanda Mandigo (Mu Gamma, Lincoln Alumni), Talea Bloch (Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni), Lauren Collins (Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni), Liana Sandin (Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni) and Jane Sonneland (Mu Gamma, Lincoln Alumni).
Members of Phi Tau at the University of North Texas met at the home of alumna Peggy Capps (Phi Tau, Denton Alumni) for dinner and a celebration of the chapter’s 80th anniversary in March. Alumna Rebecca Nunez (Phi Tau, Denton Alumni), who was initiated into the chapter 72 years ago, joined the celebration.
Flutist Rik Noyce (Gamma Sigma, Los Angeles Alumni) was named a 2025 National Finalist for The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, a prestigious national competition recognizing outstanding musicianship in the performing arts. This recognition places him among the most accomplished instrumentalists in the United States, honoring his dedication, artistry and technical excellence.
The Chosen Ones, a heart-wrenching, hilarious and ultimately unforgettable new musical by Aaron Alon (Phi Omicron), is scheduled for its world premiere August 28 through September 6 in Houston, Texas, by Thunderclap Productions. A recording of The Chosen Ones is now available for streaming on most major music platforms.
Rutgers University–Camden hosted Festival Mahogany in February. The weekend long celebration of classical music, founded by Marlon Daniel (Mu Xi, New York City Alumni), showcased some of the most outstanding and diverse artists in the classical world.
War Ends, Song Endures, a work composed by Deon Nielsen Price (Gamma, Los Angeles Alumni), was performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in January. Written as a tribute to the valiant spirit of Ukranians and commissioned by Mary Au (Mu Nu, Los Angeles Alumni) and Rik Noyce (Gamma Sigma, Los Angeles Alumni), the piece premiered at the 2023 Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention.
Navona Records released an album of solo piano sonatas performed by Kristín Jónína Taylor (Lincoln Alumni, Alpha Kappa). Midwest Piano Sonatas presents three solo piano sonatas by Midwestern composers including Joanne Baker (Gamma), a notable Mu Phi whose neo-classical sonata from 1948 has gone largely unheard and forgotten despite winning a national competition and performance at Carnegie Hall. Taylor was been named a National finalist in The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo), professional division.
Forty people attended Tea with Peggy, organized by the Colorado Springs Alumni chapter to listen to an interview with Peggy Shivers (Alpha Lambda, Colorado Springs Alumni) recorded by KCME, an independent, listener-supported radio station in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Shivers talked about her short career as an opera singer, her marriage to Tuskegee Airman and notable artist/sculptor Clarence Shivers and her involvement with Mu Phi Epsilon.
APPLAUSE & ENCORE
The Cleveland Area Alumni and Alliance Alumni chapters hosted a district conference for Founders Day in November at Mt. Union University.
COLLEGIATE SPOTLIGHT
Luke Lovegood (Mu Psi), advisor to Mu Psi at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shares updates on the chapter’s Collegiate members.
Noelle Buck (Mu Psi) won the Cedar Rapids Beethoven Club Scholarship. For her audition, she played Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun by Blake Tyson, both on marimba.
Cami Mangan (Mu Psi) completed her studies in the arts — music, art, theatre, dance, and film — in New York City where she interned with Jazz Power Initiative. The nonprofit organization specializes in jazz education for the community, especially for youth. Through this program, Mangan learned about jazz roots, jazz singing, and vocal technique.
Caitlin Atwood (Mu Psi) performed her junior clarinet recital on three different clarinets, E flat, B flat and bass. She is preparing to student teach in the fall.
Evan Shanley (Mu Psi) was a guest bari saxophonist for a Latin jazz recital where he took a solo on Tito Puente’s arrangement of Little Sunflower by Freddie Hubbard. A few months ago, Shanley was hired to play clarinet for the Metro Honor Orchestra in a wind section that consisted largely of professional musicians and music educators.
Mary Russell (Mu Psi) finished an undergraduate senior honor project on music in film. Including both a paper and a recital. Preparing for the recital gave her an amazing experience of designing a program,
The Saint Louis Wind Symphony performed Spring Festival for wind band during its concert in November. The piece was composed by Chen Yi (Alpha Kappa, Kansas City Alumni).
recruiting musicians, leading rehearsals, conducting and performing. She will start her first teaching position at Waco Community Jr./Sr. High School in Wayland, Iowa, in the fall.
Elijah Riley (Mu Psi) attended the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago over winter break. Riley also was nominated to play saxophone in the Collegiate Honor Band in January. He performed in Coe’s Jazz Summit and contributed to the instrumental combo for Coe Sho Cho, Coe’s vocal show ensemble.
Juliette Phillippe (Mu Psi) completed Coe’s New York Term where she interned at a major recording studio. She plans to finish her degree in New York, by taking lessons and performing in ensembles while taking other courses online. This will allow her to keep making connections across the city and work full time with her internship.
FINAL NOTES
ANN GEILER, THIRD VICE PRESIDENT/ALUMNI ADVISOR, PHI THETA, ST. LOUIS ALUMNI ALUMNIADVISOR@MUPHIEPSILON.ORG
Joan (Haykin) Weinstein
Phi Omicron, May 8, 1949
Died January 17, 2023
Pianist. Joan graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, earning a degree in music. There, she met her future husband, psychology student Marvin Weinstein, to whom she offered box seats at the symphony where she worked as an usher. Joan taught classical piano for over 50 years, into her mid-80s, and was a member of the Marin Music Teachers’ Association of California, Mu Phi Epsilon and Marin Music Study Club. She helped develop MMTA’s Discovery Scholarship Program and served as the organization’s president.
Meta Ann (Knecht) White
Phi Phi, April 7, 1953
Died November 8, 2023
Vocalist. Meta was a gifted singer and especially loved musical theater. She was often called upon to sing for special occasions and at the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star events for her parents. She was a life member of Mu Phi Epsilon. Meta was an active member of the Kansas City Alumni chapter until recently when she became affected by Alzheimer’s disease. She was the president of Kansas City Alumni from 1963 to 1965. She would have loved to pursue music as a career but chose instead to earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She and her husband were season ticket holders to the symphony, opera, chamber music and jazz series in Kansas City.
Ann Elizabeth Nilsson Davis
Tau, May 17, 1955
Died December 14, 2023
Pianist. Ann began her musical training as a pianist early in childhood. Her musical gift manifested quickly. She accrued recognition by winning the prominent musical prizes throughout the Pacific Northwest, making her professional debut as soloist with the Seattle Symphony and performing recitals and chamber music in her native region. She completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Washington, a second master’s degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and doctoral work in piano performance at the University of Washington. In the Bay Area, she concertized as a member of Opus 3, with Bonnie Rasmussen (Mu Upsilon) and Betty Musser (Phi Iota). Sharing her love of music, she served as visiting professor of music at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, and maintained a private piano studio for decades. Ann was an active musical citizen as well, volunteering on the boards of the Marin Symphony, the Marin Music Chest, the Thursday Musical Club and Mu Phi Epsilon. She was also active as an accompanist for church choirs.
Sarah Jane “Sally” Needham
Omega, January 30, 1946
Died December 18, 2023
Violinist. Sally graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelor of Music degree. After graduation, she was moved to use her acute analytical skills to work as a code breaker (military cryptanalysis) in the Military Intelligence Division of the U.S. War Department in Arlington, Virginia, during World War II.
This was crucially important work at the time, which saved countless GI’s lives during the war. After the war, Sally earned her master’s degree from Drake University, studied at Juilliard in New York, and worked in the music field for several years. Then her career took a different turn. She went into education, leading admissions and college counseling divisions in private secondary schools and universities. Sally lived in Camarillo, California, and was a lifelong member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She was the recipient of many honors and awards in her educational work, including the prestigious Gayle C. Wilson Award from the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Mary Frances Going Mu Theta, April 15, 1950 Died December 25, 2023
Pianist. Mary Frances attended the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in music and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At the University of Texas, Mary Frances was elected to Mu Phi Epsilon; the Sidney Lanier Literary Society; and Pi Lambda Theta, an honorary education society. Upon graduation, she was presented with the Curtain Club Key for outstanding work with that organization. After five years of teaching, she was elected to Delta Kappa Gamma for excellence in teaching. She taught music in the Austin public schools for seven years and then was accepted to teach in the overseas Department of Defense Schools. She taught music to children of U.S. military personnel in Orleans, France, and in Mannheim and Worms, Germany, for 28 years. After her retirement she taught piano for 20 years in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and then moved to Texas to be closer to family.
Margaret Jean Barton Tau, June 8, 1952
Died January 8, 2024
Vocalist. Peggy was a graduate of the University of Washington, class of 1954, where she majored in French. For most of her career, Peggy taught French and Spanish. She first taught at White River High School in Buckley, Washington, and later in Seattle Public Schools and then in Tacoma Public Schools. In 1958-59 she taught at the Escuela Americana in San Salvador, El Salvador. Peggy spent many years at Truman Middle School in Tacoma and retired from Stadium High School in 1992. Peggy was known in the community for her rich soprano voice. She sang in school choirs and ensembles and was often featured as a soloist. Her love of music continued throughout her life; she sang in her church choir and enjoyed attending classical music concerts. Peggy especially loved opera. She was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and Chapter C, P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Joanne Strickling Kennedy
Mu Phi, May 30, 1950
Died January 11, 2024
Pianist, organist, violinist. Joanne earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Ohio Wesleyan University. While there she was active in Delta Delta sorority and Mu Phi Epsilon, as well as the choir and orchestra. She taught elementary music in Ohio and went on to earn her master’s in education at the University of Toledo. She was a church organist. After moving to Ohio Living Swan Creek, she and her husband, Roger, continued to spread their love of music with the Swan Creek Singers. At age 88, Joanne
became the founder, director and accompanist for the Alleluia Singers. She enjoyed playing in the bell choir at Epworth United Church.
Ardelle Leach
Tau, January 24, 1950
Died January 14, 2024
Educator. Ardelle graduated from the University of Washington. She taught in elementary schools in Seattle and then Wapato, Washington. During college, Ardelle was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and Mu Phi Epsilon. She had a great love of music and the arts. Ardelle enjoyed the Seattle Symphony concerts, Pacific Northwest Ballet and local musical and theater performances. She was an active member of the West View Garden Club and served as her daughter’s Camp Fire leader.
Elsie (Bechter) Audas
Mu Theta, December 19, 1948
Died February 5, 2024
Pianist, flutist, vocalist. Elsie graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1949 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She was an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She was an accomplished musician on the piano and flute and had a beautiful soprano voice. Elsie’s mother was her piano teacher and in high school Elsie was the recipient of several musical performance awards. After college, Elsie taught music at the high school in her hometown of Yoakum, Texas. She also taught music in the 1960s and 1970s at St. Thomas Episcopal School and St. Thomas Catholic High School in Houston. Elsie’s children can recall her enjoyment in playing the piano and singing Broadway show tunes
many evenings at home. Later, Elsie would accompany her grandchildren on the piano as they learned to play violin, viola and cello. Wherever she lived, Elsie loved singing in her church choir, the last one being at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boise, Idaho.
Alice Kundrat
Phi, February 20, 1956
Died March 29, 2024
Vocalist. Alice graduated from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, where she was a double major in music and history with a minor in art. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi and Mu Phi Epsilon. In 1973, her husband, Steve, founded Mid-East Mfg., an off-shoot of Alice’s work as an instructor/ performer of Middle Eastern dance. The business began making finger cymbals for Alice’s students and has become a well-known source of a wide range of ethnic musical instruments throughout the United States and abroad.
Jill Shannon Thompson Young Alpha Xi, May 14, 1991
Died April 4, 2024
Educator. Jill graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1994. It was there that she earned a Bachelor of Music Education, was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society and Mu Phi Epsilon. She began teaching at Marion Elementary School in 1994 and then spent 23 years at Old Fort Elementary in North Carolina. The last four years of her career were spent teaching chorus at East and West Middle Schools. Jill was proud of her National Board Certification, and she will be remembered for the
special bonds she created with her students and colleagues.
Patricia Ann Conerly Williams
Beta Zeta, April 26, 1970
Died April 17, 2024
Pianist, vocalist, educator. Patricia started piano lessons at age 4 which she continued through high school. She also loved singing in the choir. Patricia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, majoring in piano, and minoring in voice in 1972 from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she pledged Mu Phi Epsilon. She also sang in the Southern University Women’s Glee Club. She was known as Pee Wee in the Music Department. She loved developing and providing musicianship in school and community through her service as a musician, choir director and teacher. Patricia later obtained her master’s degree at Southeastern Louisiana University. She enjoyed teaching music, directing her choirs, competing at rallies and preparing young children for performances or plays. She also taught private piano lessons and voice and played for many churches in the community.
Verna J. Wagner
Epsilon Iota, February 25, 1973
Died April 29, 2024
Pianist. Verna lived by the mantra:
“Music is my life.” She developed a love for music early on in life, as she was taught the piano by her mother, Edna, and older sister, Helen. While in the eighth grade, she started playing for the Happy Home Church. This would take her down a lifelong journey filled with music. She earned a degree in piano performance in 1976 from
Eastern Washington State College. Over the years, she played piano at several churches in the area and she played the pipe organ at First Baptist Church. She also played alongside musicians at Fourth Memorial Church and performed at various locations with an electric keyboard ensemble, The Claviers. Verna taught piano to countless students young and old, including her children and grandchildren. She was inducted into the Washington State Music Teachers Association Hall of Fame on June 25, 2007. She was an active member and served as treasurer for the Spokane Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon.
Katharinealice (Kitty) Hayes
Epsilon Omega, May 24, 1959
Died May 2, 2024
Vocalist, educator. Kitty attended San Francisco State University. She taught elementary education throughout Sonoma County, California, for many years, finishing her teaching career at La Tercera Elementary in Petaluma, California. Kitty was a sought-after soloist and choir member, and sang for the USO, community theater productions and Mu Phi Epsilon. In 2020, Kitty and her husband relocated to an assisted living facility where Kitty led her new community in weekly sing-alongs.
Dorothy Nell Guinn Blackwell
Epsilon Pi, March 3, 1952
Died June 6, 2024
Vocalist. Dorothy began studying voice with the pastor’s wife of the First Presbyterian Church of Hereford, Texas, where she sang every Sunday in the choir. She continued her studies at Trinity
University before completing her degree at Texas Tech University. Music was always an important part of Dorothy’s life. Before her marriage to Robert Jerry Blackwell Sr. in 1955, she was the assistant superintendent for music education for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Texas, responsible for developing a music curriculum for all the schools in the district. After marriage, music was her avocation. She sang in many different choirs and performing ensembles for over 60 years. She was active in Mu Phi Epsilon and supported the scholarship program; as well as that of Houston’s Tuesday Musical Club.
Virginia Powell Webb
Phi Xi, May 26, 1947
Died July 5, 2024
Educator, pianist. Virginia attended Baylor University where she majored in music education and minored in piano, earning her bachelor’s in music in 1949. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Mu Phi Epsilon. Virginia served as president of the Symphony Auxiliary in Albany, Georgia, and was on the Symphony Auxiliary Board in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She was a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1963. As a minister’s wife, she moved a lot through Texas, Louisiana and Georgia but she always sang in the church choir.
Shirley Juanita Dyck
Epsilon Phi, April 17, 2004
Died August 12, 2024
Wichita Alumni
Pianist, organist. Shirley started piano lessons as a young age. She showed a talent for music which continued through her entire
life. In high school, she learned to play the clarinet. Shirley attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, and earned a degree in education. While living in Wichita, Kansas, she continued her membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and played the piano and organ for her chapter until 2015. Shirley was hired to play the organ at First Salem United Church of Christ in the 1990s and she became a church member there. Playing their organ and piano would continue for 20+ years. Shirley loved learning new instruments and learned to play the violin, cello and flute. She took flute lessons from Marilyn Hitchcock (Epsilon Phi, Wichita Alumni). Because of Marilyn, Shirley joined Mu Phi Epsilon and enjoyed many events and fundraisers with the Wichita Alumni chapter. Then Shirley decided she wanted to learn how to play the harp. She bought an Irish harp, learned how to play it and joined a Renaissance group. She made a costume and toured with them for a while. Shirley volunteered at the Kansas Masonic Home playing for sing-along Wednesdays. In 1999, she received a 50-hour volunteer pin. She loved the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and the Music Theatre Wichita and attended their concerts regularly.
Carol Joy Hann Mu Phi, December 10, 1951 Died August 21, 2024
Educator, pianist, violinist. Carol learned to play the piano and violin at a young age. Carol’s passion for music took her to Baldwin Wallace University’s Conservatory of Music in 1950. There, she became a member of Alpha Xi Delta and Mu Phi Epsilon, in which she remained involved throughout her professional life. Carol started her teaching career in vocal music and eventually instrumental music with the
Cleveland Public Schools, where she taught for 30 years. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. In 1986, she began teaching at St. Ignatius High School, where she started the choral program and taught until her retirement in 1994. Carol’s love of teaching music and song was central to her life. She was cheerful and energetic with her students, and they were uplifted by her enthusiasm for her craft. She encouraged her children to learn instruments and would play piano accompaniments for them during practice and recitals. She directed her church choruses and bell choirs and was a substitute organist for services. Even during the six years of her residence at Western Reserve, she directed a community band, organized sing-alongs, and played piano for choir rehearsals and church services.
Joanne Edwards Mu Gamma, April 25, Died September 3, 2024
Pianist, organist. Joanne earned a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1953. While attending UNL, she was a member of Kappa Delta and Mu Phi Epsilon. She taught music in the Madrid Public School in Nebraska for one year. JoAnne taught kindergarten one year and music three years in the Hardy Public Schools. She taught piano lessons for 60 years. She was a member of the Hardy Women’s club, American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years, directed the Union Church Harmonettes and assisted the director for many years. She played the organ at the Hardy Union Church for 38 years.
Robin Richey Williams Mu Chi, May 12, 1954
Died November 16, 2024
Pianist, educator. Robin attended Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, where she was a music major and a member of Mortar Board, Zeta Tau Alpha and Mu Phi Epsilon. While at SMU, she also studied piano at Paris-Sorbonne University. Robin graduated with honors at SMU as a classical pianist, studying under Paul and Viola Van Katwijk, who were in the teaching lineage of Beethoven and Eugene Ellsworth. She taught music in Dallas public schools and taught private piano students for a span of 40 years. Robin presided over the Dallas Symphony Auxiliary, Dallas Opera Guild and Dallas Geological-Geophysical Society. She was a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club, Mortar Board Alumni, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Friday Book Club, Armstrong Book Review and the Dallas Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon.
Kathleen Kelly Van Doeren Epsilon Alpha, April 30, 1989 Died December 10, 2024 Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumni
Pianist. Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts from Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, then taught in public schools until her first child was born. She then put her focus on family and teaching piano privately. Kathleen studied piano privately with Bernhard Weiser (head of the piano division at the University of Minnesota). Bernhard stated that Kathleen had the largest repertoire of memorized piano
music of all the students he had taught. She had a unique talent in combining rigorous piano training with connecting deeply with her students. Kathleen was a member of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. She joined the chapter in part through Mary Kirchner (Epsilon Alpha, Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumni); their friendship dated all the way back to the ninth grade. The Minneapolis/ St. Paul Alumni chapter shared the following statement: “Her encouraging words to the rest of us and her example of high standards will be missed.” She was an extraordinary human being and leaves a legacy of love and music.
Betty Joan Bopp
Phi Phi, August 22, 1946
Died January 20, 2025 Kansas City Alumni
Violinist, pianist. Betty attended the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance (Class of 1949). While at the university, she joined Mu Phi Epsilon and maintained a lifelong membership in the Fraternity. Betty performed regularly in the Kansas City area with small chamber groups and community orchestras including the Kansas City Civic Orchestra. She was a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 34-627 in Kansas City for over 50 years. She taught private violin and piano lessons to many grateful and talented students over the years and taught elementary violin classes for the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools for several years.
Betty Davis
Phi, November 18, 1949
Died January 31, 2025 Alliance Alumni
Organist, pianist, educator. At 15, Betty became the organist for the Evangelical United Brethren Church which later became The Vine United Methodist Church. She held that position for 78 years, until two weeks prior to her death. Betty graduated from the University of Mount Union with a Bachelor of Music in 1965 and at the same time taught piano to many students in Alliance, Ohio. After graduating from Mount Union, she began a 25-year career teaching music in Marlington Local Schools. During that time, she earned her Master of Education degree from Ashland College (now Ashland University). She was a director of the Ohio Honors Chorale for several years, taking that group of students from all over Ohio and performing throughout Europe. Upon retirement in 1990 and through 2012, she was president of the Alliance Community Concert Association, an organization that brought high quality musical entertainment to Alliance multiple times each year. October 23, 2011, was name “Betty Davis Day” by then-Alliance Mayor Toni Middleton in acknowledgement of Betty’s 22 years with ACCA and for her love of music and spirit of community service. She was a member of the Alliance Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon where she alternated among executive positions. Betty was honored with numerous awards for her musical efforts.
Mary Ann Gould
Alpha Delta, May 1, 1960
Died February 4, 2025
Vocalist. Mary Ann’s life was filled with music and kindness. In the 1960s, she was a member of the professional music trio The Donettes, sharing her love of song with many. Mary Ann dedicated her career to education, retiring from the Siskiyou County Office of Education in Yreka, California. Even in retirement, she remained deeply involved in her community. She was a cherished member of the College of the Siskiyous Vocal Choir and the United Methodist Choir. Her passion for music extended beyond the stage, as she lent her voice to countless wedding ceremonies and community events. Beyond music, Mary Ann gave generously of her time. She volunteered for 15 years with the Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary and was an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon.
Ruth Stephenson
Gamma, February 17, 1952
Died February 8, 2025
Vocalist, pianist. Ruth retired in 1997, after 36 years as professor of music at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She was also a frequent featured soprano with Opera Omaha and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Morning Musical Review, Musical Art Club, PEO Chapter FB and Bookworms. Ruth held every office in the Mu Phi Epsilon Lincoln Alumni chapter including president a few times. She also was faculty advisor for the Beta Pi collegiate chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University and helped plan the 1974 Mu Phi Convention. Ruth was so
proud that both of her daughters and one grandson became Mu Phis.
Alice Lillegard Maxfield
Alpha Eta, April 5, 1975
Died February 17, 2025
Washington D.C. Alumni
Pianist, organist. Alice made her musical debut playing the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Boston Pops Orchestra during her senior year of high school. She attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, and earned her bachelor’s degree in music from the New England Conservatory in 1952. Alice earned her Master of Music in piano performance at the University of Maryland in 1994. She was an accomplished pianist, teaching in her own studio for several decades. Alice was active in the music community of Washington D.C. area, performing for the Friday Morning Music Club and Mu Phi Epsilon chapter, judging auditions for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and hosting contestants many years for the International Piano Competition at the University of Maryland in the 80s and 90s. She served as music director at Calvary Lutheran Church for over 50 years, playing the organ and directing the choir. The Washington DC Alumni chapter stated: “So many of us know Alice as a wonderful pianist and choral music enthusiast, a long-serving member of Mu Phi Epsilon who hosted countless gatherings, loved her family and was always proud of her Norwegian heritage. She will be missed and remembered with affection.”
Mildred E. (Smilek) Reed Mu Phi, February 2, 1953 Died February 22, 2025
Violinist, educator. Mildred received her Bachelor of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Education from Kent State University. She was a public-school music teacher for over 30 years in the Coventry and Springfield (Ohio) Local School Districts retiring in 1986. A professional violinist, she retired from the Akron Symphony Orchestra after 30 years of service and was also a member of the Akron Pops Orchestra and the Festival String Quartet. While at Baldwin Wallace, Millie was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Mu Phi Epsilon. She was a past president of the Coventry Alumni Association and was the secretary of the Portage Lakes (Ohio) Community Council.
Susan M. “Susie” (Sexton) Cook Beta Pi, February 18, 1968 Died February 23, 2025 Lincoln Alumni
Pianist, organist. Susie earned a Bachelor of Church Music from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She later attended University of Nebraska at Kearney. She began playing church music at age 13 at the Grant United Methodist Church. Susie taught vocal and instrumental music in southwestern Nebraska and several Lincoln Public Schools, retiring from Pound Middle School in 2011. She also served as organist and pianist at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Southview Christian Church, First United Methodist Church and was an accompanist for the Lincoln Senior Choir and many small musical groups. Susie served
at churches in Ogallala, North Platte, Grand Island, Fort Riley, Kansas, and her home church in Grant prior to relocating in Lincoln. She began the study of harp upon retirement from teaching. She also played recorder in the Musica Antiqua recorder consort at many musical and social events. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists, PEO Chapter EE, Mu Phi Epsilon, and was a past grand worthy advisor of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Susie was a member of the Lincoln Alumni chapter until recently. She was a charter member of the Beta Pi chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University and was the third president of the chapter.
Elizabeth Ann Levin
Alpha Beta, November 19, 1972 Died March 10, 2025 Indianapolis Alumni
Violinist, educator. Betsy earned her music degree from the Hartt School, the performing arts conservatory at the University of Hartford. Upon graduation, she moved to Indianapolis to attend Butler University and obtained her master’s degree in violin performance. She performed at Starlight Musicals and subbed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Performance opportunities in Las Vegas, Nevada, led to a move west. Leading a double life, she taught orchestra by day and played in major hotel orchestras for stars such as Liberace, Cher and Dolly Parton by night. It was during this time that she first became a proud member of ASTA. After four years in Las Vegas, Betsy returned to Indiana to teach at Southport Middle School and Southport High School and did so proudly for 31 years. She served as chair of the Music Department at SHS for 22 years.. She furthered her commitment to music education by serving as the
chairman of the All-State Orchestra for 15 years, contributing to Robert Klotman’s Guide to Teaching Strings, and contributing to the Music Educator’s National Conference Orchestra Course of Study Task Force. Although busy teaching, Betsy continued to perform and served as the concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis for 21 years. She also continued to play in various performances around the city; amazing her students when she played with Led Zeppelin at Market Square Arena. She was president of the Indianapolis Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon for 13 years. In retirement, Betsy continued to teach privately, teach string techniques at Butler University, and
served as an instrument advisor for Paige’s Music.
Anne Ogren
Omega, February 10, 1963
Died March 12, 2025
Ann Arbor Alumni
Violinist. Anne attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she earned an undergraduate degree in violin performance. She went on to earn a master’s degree in music theory from the University of Wisconsin and later, a second master’s in music education from
the University of Michigan. Over the years, her passion for performance never diminished. She played violin professionally with orchestras in every location she lived. She spent more than 30 years with the Ann Arbor Symphony starting in the early 1980s. She was also a founding member of Childgrove, an English country dance band with which she traveled across the U.S. and to France. Anne taught countless private violin students. She devoted 17 years teaching orchestra at Abbott Middle School in Orchard Lake, Michigan, inspiring generations of musicians. Anne was a member of the Mu Phi Epsilon Ann Arbor Alumni chapter.
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE IN A TUNEFUL TALK!
Mu Phi Epsilon is now accepting proposals for the 2026 season of Tuneful Talks, the Fraternity’s virtual seminar series. We are seeking dynamic presentations, workshops and discussions that explore innovative ideas, trends and practices in the world of music and the performing arts. Have an idea? Email Marshall Pugh at musicadvisor@muphiepsilon.org
ATLANTIC
DISTRICT A1
Stephanie Berry 574.596.8285 bmpenguin69@hotmail.com
DISTRICT A2
Susan Todenhoft 703.323.4772 H 703.509.0224 C todenhoft@gmail.com
EASTERN GREAT LAKES
DISTRICTS EGL1 & EGL2
Hannah Flowers
814.897.6531 mrs.hannah.flowers@gmail.com
DISTRICT EGL3
Nancy Jane Gray
330.688.7990 bobgrayz@aol.com
GREAT LAKES
DISTRICTS GL1 & GL3
Donna Chrzanowski 586.751.7276 chrzdonna@gmail.com
DISTRICT GL2
Linda McNair
314.494.7472 c1dd@muphiepsilon.org
EAST CENTRAL
DISTRICT EC1
Herbert Jackson
678.577.3637 herbertjackson5@gmail.com
DISTRICTS EC2 & EC3
Brandon Barnett
317.557.3443 indianapolis@muphiepsilon.org
DISTRICT DIRECTORY
SOUTHEAST
DISTRICT SE1
Lauren Moseley se1dd@muphiepsilon.org
DISTRICT SE2
Wanda Yang Temko 404.217.9712 wanda@yangtemko.com
DISTRICT SE3
Arietha Lockhart 404.284.7811 ariethal@hotmail.com
DISTRICT SE4
Marcus Wyche 301.484.3652 videoauth@aol.com
SOUTH CENTRAL
DISTRICTS SC1, SC3 & SC4
Isabel De La Cerda 210.204.6425 idelacerda@hotmail.com
DISTRICT SC2
Rebekah Boatright 817.701.8068 rebekahboatright@gmail.com
CENTRAL
DISTRICT C1
Linda McNair 314.494.7472 c1dd@muphiepsilon.org
DISTRICT C2
Paula Patterson 417.773.1176 paulapatterson@missouristate.edu
NORTH CENTRAL
DISTRICT NC
Carmen Chavez 952.460.0708 nc1dd@muphiepsilon.org
WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT WC1
Ashley Roever
580.822.5682 amroever@hotmail.com
DISTRICT WC2
Kirsten Forbes 720.232.6450
kirsten_forbes@msn.com
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
DISTRICT PNW1
Sophia Tegart 509.991.4906 sophia.tegart@gmail.com
DISTRICTS PNW2 & PNW3
Michael Lasfetto 971.275.3800 pnw3dd@muphiepsilon.org
PACIFIC
DISTRICT P1
Jessica Dodge Overstreet 775.720.2135 jessicadodge@gmail.com
DISTRICT P2
Kirsten Forbes 720.232.6450
kirsten_forbes@msb.com
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST
DISTRICT PSW
Ayanna Lewis 310.970.4462
psw1dd@muphiepsilon.org
2024-2025 INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Mu Chi Atlanta Alumni International President 770.961.4400 president@muphiepsilon.org
Liana Sandin, Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni
1st VP/Extension Officer
402.560.7126 extensionofficer@muphiepsilon.org
Ashley Bouras, Phi Tau, Dallas Alumni
2nd VP/Collegiate Advisor
972.765.3252 collegiateadvisor@muphiepsilon.org
Ann Geiler, Phi Theta, St. Louis Alumni
3rd VP/Alumni Advisor 314.691.7648 alumniadvisor@muphiepsilon.org
Marshall Pugh, Alpha Xi Roanoke Valley Alumni 4th VP/Music Advisor 252.599.2492 musicadvisor@muphiepsilon.org
Tanner Wilson, Beta Alpha Fullerton Alumni 5th VP/Eligibility Advisor 951.515.9680 eligibilityadvisor@muphiepsilon.org
Jess LaNore, Beta Psi Indianapolis Alumni Executive Secretary-Treasurer 888.259.1471 executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org
Kat Braz International Editor editor@muphiepsilon.org
Lisa Storm Beyer, Mu Chi Dallas Alumni
OFFICERS
DIRECTORY
HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD
Rosemary Ames, Omega Boston Alumni
508.498.4669 rosemarykames@gmail.com
Lee Clements Meyer, Phi Xi
Austin Alumni 512.345.5072
MUSIC LIBRARIAN & ARCHIVES
Wendy Sistrunk, Mu Mu Kansas City Alumni
816.309.5910
61gwensinger@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMEN
ACME
Arietha Lockhart (Chair) Beta Gamma, Atlanta Alumni
404.284.7811 ariethal@hotmail.com
Mary Au (Co-Chair), Mu Nu Los Angeles Alumni
323.666.2603 auhaus@gmail.com
BYLAWS & STANDING RULES
Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Mu Chi Atlanta Alumni
770.961.4400 zellertenor@aol.com
FINANCE
Evelyn Archer, Omega Omega
St. Louis Area Alumni
458.562.9177 archerbe@sbcglobal.net
2024-2025 FOUNDATION BOARD
Kira Dixon, President Phi Mu, Palo Alto Alumni president@mpefoundation.org
Isabel De La Cerda, Vice President Delta Omega, San Antonio Alumni vicepresident@mpefoundation.org
Dr. Hannah Porter Occeña, Secretary Alpha Kappa secretary@mpefoundation.org
Dr. Matthew Hoch, Treasurer Lambda treasurer@mpefoundation.org
Donna Chrzanowski, Philanthropies Coordinator Phi Kappa, Detroit Alumni philanthropies@mpefoundation.org
Dr. Danielle Kuntz, Artist Concert Manager, Grants and Scholarships Coordinator Mu Phi, Cleveland Area Alumni grants@mpefoundation.org
Dr. Wanda Yang Temko, Website Administrator Eta Eta, Atlanta Alumni admin@mpefoundation.org
Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Mu Chi, Atlanta Alumni president@muphiepsilon.org
Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity
6510 Telecom Drive, Suite 370 Indianapolis, IN 46278
executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org 888-259-1471
