ACME New Honorees

Mu Phi Epsilon is pleased to announce the latest ACME honorees: Marlon Daniel (Mu Xi, New York Alumni), Karen McFarlane Holtkamp (Phi Theta, Cleveland Area Alumni) and Dr. Danielle M. Kuntz (Mu Phi, Cleveland Area Alumni). We are pleased to 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 contacts from Mu Phi members.

Mu Xi, New York Alumni

American conductor Marlon Daniels has been described as “a natural and enormous talent” by the Chicago Sun-Times and as “fabulous and exceptional” by Pravda, Moscow. He is one of the most dynamic conductors of his generation and a bright light for diversity in music. He has performed in prestigious venues in Asia, Europe, and the United States, from Carnegie Hall in New York City to the Rudolfinum in Prague. He is an exponent and interpreter of the music of Chevalier de Saint-Georges and a champion of works by living composers, especially of African descent. Fluent in French, he enjoys working with young people worldwide. Marlon is artistic and music director of the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges, Music Director of Ensemble du Monde (chamber orchestra), director of the Diversity in Classical Music Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and director of Orchestra Ensembles on the faculty of Fordham University. Read Marlon’s article on Chevalier de Saint-Georges on page 22. Marlon Daniel was also featured in the Winter 2017 issue of The Triangle. For more information, visit marlondaniel.com.

Phi Theta, Cleveland Area Alumni

Karen McFarlane Holtkamp has given her life to those who play the organ and who, like her, embrace its quirks and abilities of the organ and try to tame it. As head of the Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. (1976 – 2000), Karen has represented international concert organists and the great men and boy choirs of the English choral tradition. Post retirement, she continues to work for its management as a consultant. For over 50 years, she has also educated many students and is still influencing collegiate Mu Phi members. On May 8, 2020, Karen was to have received the American Guild of Organists 2020 Endowment Fund Distinguished Artist Award for her work with young concert organists; however, due to COVID-19, the event has been postponed to 2021.