Tuneful Talks is the fraternity's new virtual music workshop series! This program has been thoughtfully curated to inspire, educate, and connect our members through engaging sessions led by exceptional presenters. 

We’ll continue throughout the year with workshops exploring a variety of topics, including vocal styles, musical exploration, acting, and more.

These live workshops are open to all Mu Phi Epsilon members, and each session will include the opportunity for interactive discussions, as well as time to explore any questions you may have about the topic being explored at that time.

Below is our schedule for the 2025 calendar year. For previous Tuneful Talks, recordings are available to view (see end of list).

Upcoming Tuneful Talks

March 1, 4:00 pm EST
Screaming if Freeing: Vocal Combat and Contemporary Commercial Vocal Styles
Presented by Talea Bloch
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Dr. Talea Bloch is an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Nebraska Wesleyan University where she teaches Musical Theatre Voice Lessons, Theory, History, and technique courses. She is a stage and music director as well a professional voice coach. Bloch is one of only 24 people in the world certified to teach Vocal Combat Techniques – the science and art of screaming, growling and other extreme voice use.  Bloch’s areas of research include Contemporary Commercial Styles, Vocal Extremes, Neurodiversity in the Arts, Curriculum Development and Assessment, and the history of small-town opera houses. She holds her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as a BA from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Bloch runs publicity for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of Nebraska, is President of the Lincoln Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon and Treasurer of NWU’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Bloch lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband, Jeremy and son, Josiah.

May 3, 4:00 pm EST
What is Your Musical DNA?
Presented by Anli Lin Tong
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July 5, 4:00 pm EST
A Singer's Guide to Acting
Presented by Martina Goldring
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Martina Goldring is currently studying for her MM in Vocal Performance at Cal State Fullerton and is the President of the Beta Alpha chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Before studying music, Martina graduated from the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood where she studied the techniques of Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, and Konstantin Stanislavski. A Singer's Guide to Acting will discuss the importance of acting training for singers of all levels, provide an introduction to various approaches to acting, and guide singers in applying those techniques to vocal music.

September 6, 4:00 pm EST
Trailblazers: British Women in Music
Presented by Rebecca Nederhiser
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November 1, 4:00 pm EST
Opera!
Presented by Margie Deer
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Margie Deer is a retired opera singer, piano and voice teacher,starting with concert recitals in the New York area,New Jersey, Brooklyn Opera Company and Museum. She made her professional debut at  Junaluska,NC followed by concert recitals at Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg VA and Brenau College, Gainesville GA . She served as Soprano soloist at several churches and Temples  including Fort  Washington Collegiate Church, Manhattan and Temple Emanuel,Great Neck Long Island. She served as Music Teacher with the Catholic Diocese of New York  before moving to Atlanta where she has  taught piano and voice at her home studio for 43 years! She remains musically nourished as a continuing patron of the upcoming Atlanta Opera Company and a grateful subscriber to the Metropolitan Opera on Demand . Her husband Dana Deer is now retired after 42 years as baritone soloist and section leader at Trinity Presbyterian Church with Norman MacKenzie. She and her son Hart  Deer who composes and performs vocal, keyboard ,lead guitar and bass guitar-electric and folk, are collaborating on arias and art songs . She is still as elated with beautiful music as ever, maybe more than ever!

Completed Tuneful Talks

January 4, 4:00 pm EST
A World of Possibilities: The Project Recital Initiative
Presented by Kristin Jonina Taylor
View Recording | View PowerPoint Presentation

Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor is an Icelandic-American pianist who has performed widely in the US and throughout Europe. A Grand Prize Winner of the Naftzger Young Artist Competition, she was a finalist in both the MTNA Young Chang Collegiate Competition and The American Prize and a double-silver medalist in the Global Music Awards. Kristín is a two-time Fulbright grant recipient and has released several professional recordings.  She is Associate Professor of Piano and Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Kristín Jónína Taylor is a Steinway Artist and a member of the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame.