TheSelfieProject by Mu Phi contributors

From taking care of business and learning new skills to catching up on Netflix and connecting through Zoom, Mu Phis are finding all sorts of ways to entertain themselves while sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Cumulatively, our individual stories compose a bigger picture of who we are as a fraternity. There’s no question that virtual technology is playing a significant role in how many Mu Phis are communicating while in quarantine. What else are they up to? Read on to find out.

Jenny Smith, Phi Xi; Dallas Alumni Collegiate Advisor, International Executive Board Hurst, Texas

“I’m a microbiology professor and full-time dog mom! I also help manage and coordinate an online gaming community for women. My wife is a nurse — be nice to medical professionals you know right now! I’m trying to share and research reliable information about the pandemic on my social media. I have “live” time with my classes and we always share things that are affecting us each day. I make it a point to call one person a day just to say hi, and I’ve checked on my elderly neighbors (from six feet away, of course).”

Nancy Laine Mu Chi; Dallas Alumni, Former editor, The Triangle (2001-2005) Fairview, TX

“ The Dallas Alumni chapter is excited about helping host the next convention! Like most of the world, we’re learning to Zoom. I’m looking forward to our first Zoom chapter meeting tomorrow!”

Here’s a list of daily quarantine questions that has inspired me:

• What am I grateful for today? • Who am I checking in on or connecting with today? • What expectations of normal am I letting go of today? • How am I getting outside today? • How am I moving my body today? • What beauty am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?”

Amber Dyess, Phi Tau, University of North Texas Kingsland, TX Hornist, music education major

“ To stay connected to Mu Phi Epsilon, I join the chapter’s weekly Zoom meetings. I also talk to my little, Azael Garza, every day. For myself, I’m spending my free time baking, journaling, and learning how to juggle!”

Jose Martinez Kappa, Butler University Toledo, OH Cellist, arts administration

“ I’m learning many things about myself during my time in quarantine. It’s been fun and filled with a lot of music and practicing! So far, I’ve been cooking a lot and learning new recipes, I just learned how to make fresh tortillas. I’ve also been learning French on Duolingo.”

“I’ve been communicating with my friends through telephone, FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, text, email, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). I’ve also been rewatching my favorite Chinese drama and sharing them with English subtitles with my friends. The horses on my vest (from my mom) in Chinese idiom signifies success when the horses arrive. It is meant to bring good luck to Los Angeles. We have not reached our peak yet. The red color is my dad’s and my favorite color, my family’s good luck color, and our national good luck color.”

Mary Au Mu Nu; Los Angeles Alumni Los Angeles, CA Concert pianist, Piano Faculty, CSU Dominguez Hills; Director of Music and pianist at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Pasadena; ACME Mu Phi Epsilon, co-chair;

Ian Wiese Lambda; Boston Alumni Closer, NJ Composer

“ I’m a doctoral student studying at New England Conservatory of Music. With school closed, I went home to Jersey. Currently I’ve been attending classes on Zoom, have my phone glued to my hand, and call people daily. Other than that, I’m on Facebook and other platforms like Skype and Discord.”

Emily Willoughby. Kappa, vice president Indianapolis, IN Music education major, trumpet

“ My favorite thing to stay connected during the pandemic is Netflix party with the rest of the Kappa chapter. We watch a movie together through the Netflix party app and can comment for everyone to see. During our last chapter party, we watched the Incredibles 2.”

Tanner Wilson Beta Alpha; Fullerton Alumni District Director, Pacific Southwest, Riverside, CA Baritone

“ I’m excited to be pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs beginning this fall! I’m a huge Nintendo geek, and when I’m not gaming/ quarantined, I sing with the Pacific Chorale in Orange County, California...I’ve been on my Nintendo Switch a ton... Otherwise, I’ve gotten to spend more time with family, and have also been doing Zoom meetings with a lot of our SoCal Mu Phis.”

Lisa Beyer Phi Tau; Dallas Alumni

“ I’m an elementary music teacher in Plano, Texas. I’ve been spending a lot of time taking walks with my husband and dog, and it’s nice to be able to wave across the street at neighbors. I never would have seen or met them otherwise with our pre-quarantine life schedules!”

Adriana Ruiz García, Kappa, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN Cellist

“ I am a Fulbright student from Spain and being part of Mu Phi Epsilon has been an amazing experience since it has allowed me to share my passion for music with a lot of different people and serve my community in Indianapolis. If I am being honest, most of my day consists of practicing! I am preparing my final recital, which will be a YouTube recording, and to keep myself motivated, I’ve created an Instagram account @40daysofbass where I post videos of the process. In addition, I FaceTime my friends and family consistently, and I do a lot of sudokus to keep my brain active and thinking. I am listening to a lot of new music from different styles, too, and most nights I watch some episodes of a show or a movie before going to bed. Comedies like “Parks and Recreation” or “Brooklyn 99” are my favorites to just relax and escape reality for a bit.”

Ayça Cetin (and Minik the Yorkie) Beta Pi; Lincoln Alumni Tallahassee, FL Flutist, teacher

“ At first, the quarantine was difficult. But now I have been doing things I did not have time before. I have been learning several new recipes, doing yoga and cardio, hiking, cross-stitching, crocheting and sewing. I still teach some online lessons and practice as well. I keep in touch with my friends through video chats. I’m hoping the virus settles soon and we can all continue our activities.”

Isabel De La Cerda Delta Omega; Zeta Nu, founder, 2012 San Antonio, TX District Director SC4

“ I am very fortunate to still have my teaching job as a pre-school, elementary and middle school teacher in San Antonio, Texas. Having a daily schedule has helped me keep things normal, with some substitutions of course. For example, instead of going to the gym, my best friend has live workout sessions so I’m working out from home. I’ve been using all kinds of technology to stay connected with my workplace, collegiate chapters, alumni chapters, friends and family, from zooming for professional meetings or conducting chapter reviews, to having a happy hour with your co-workers on Google hangout session with your best friends, and last but not least, duo or house-party video calls to your nieces. When you are feeling sad, just sing!”

Wendy Sistrunk Mu Mu; Kansas City Alumni, Independence, MO International Librarian, Archives Chair, Mu Phi Epsilon Music Library & Archives Head, Cataloging & Metadata Management University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC)

“ During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas City is in a lock-down. UMKC has been closed and the University Library shut to in-person patrons. However, we are still providing online instruction, resources, and other services. Thus, I am still working full-time, but from home, cataloging materials for the libraries (currently scores and CDs for the Music/ Media Library which supports our Conservatory of Music & Dance). Also trying to keep my five (rescue) cats off of the computer and my lap whilst doing so! In my off-hours, I have been watching lots of movies and Animal Planet on the TV, and cooking and trying out new recipes.”

Melissa Eddy, Mu Theta; Austin Alumni, Austin, TX Former International Editor of The Triangle (2006-2018) and retired arts administrator. Church choir director

“I’m currently staying connected online and sewing face masks to help slow community spread of covid-19. Here I am in my newest COVID-19 fashion statement, straight off the sewing machine. Note the Mu Phi colors.”

“ We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Phi Tau chapter on March 22 virtually by email, texts, FaceTime and old-fashioned phone calls. I’m enjoying virtual concerts and performances from musicians all over the world via Facebook. I’m sending prayers for health and safety to everyone and look forward to real hugs when this is over. To Music, Friendship and Harmony.”

Jim Reilly, Epsilon Alpha Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumni, vice president and newsletter editor Minneapolis, MN Tenor, pianist, vocal coach, composer

Veronica Jacobe Gamma Sigma, Norwalk, CA Soprano, MFA candidate in Creative Writing, Mount Saint Mary’s University

“I’ve been waking up late and sleeping late, procrastinating over deadlines for certain things. However, my family and I are safe at home, and that’s all that matters. (But I hope this is over so I can go back to work.) I’ve been using social media to stay connected with other people while emailing and texting. I find this is a good time to take advantage of technology to its fullest potential and basic intent, which is communication on a global scale.” “ I got back from France on

March 6, just as everything started to come apart, both here and there. Thank goodness for email, telephone, Zoom, and Facebook Messenger. I can’t say teaching on Zoom is a pleasure, but I’m doing it. However, so far, I’ve been doing mostly long-delayed house cleaning, which has taken the place of my daily trips to the closed YMCA. My condo has never been this clean! SPRING 2020 I thetriangle 21

Michael Lasfetto Epsilon Sigma; Portland Alumni, treasurer District Director, PNW 2 & 3 Music Teacher, Butler Creek Elementary, performer

“ I’m still working. I’ve been doing a fair amount of Zumba and practicing and sharing videos of people who are still playing using the hashtag #furtheringmusic to the PNW Mu Phi Facebook page. We are not allowed to teach using Zoom. In my district, we are still working out the expectations for music teachers. Right now, we are required to provide supplemental learning experiences that build on previous skills, but are not expected to teach new concepts, so the music teachers in my district have been working on putting together some materials for the students to use… A significant number of our students do not have access to the technology needed for online learning, and Zoom has issues when it comes to privacy. The Oregon Department of Education’s guidelines change almost daily, especially now that our official Spring Break has passed.”

Monica Verona Omega Omega, New York City Alumni, president New York City Pianist; Resident Teaching Artist at the Bloomingdale School of Music in Manhattan.

“ During the pandemic, I’m teaching every day online via FaceTime. My schedule is essentially the same except that I’m teaching remotely. I call my family and friends to check in. Facebook has been a welcome source of humor (first time Facebook is useful beyond advertising for concerts). I’m re-learning the Barber Sonata and investigating new repertoire for myself and my students, a real plus compared to all that’s happening here in NYC.”

Kerrianne Blum Lambda, PR chair, Ithaca College; Sophomore communication management design major with a music minor in voice Queens, NY “ Thankfully, the Lambda chapter is still planning on holding weekly meetings over Zoom, and I keep doing schoolwork to keep myself on schedule. Besides that, I’m learning to play the guitar again, and I keep going for walks on the beach. It’s scary right now seeing New York City so quiet, but I know it’s to keep our community strong. I think we all put up with the quietness of the city now, to make sure that it won’t become a permanent thing. We are the city that never sleeps, so I guess right now we’re just taking a nap.” Brandon Barnett Zeta Xi; Indianapolis Alumni Indianapolis, IN Bassoon, saxophone, and director “Even though music is a big part of my life, I enjoy hanging out with friends, volunteering, traveling to new places and trying new things. I’m very motivated with things in life and always am trying to learn new things especially during this COVID-19. I am still teaching (e-learning) and learning new skills. We are staying connected through video chatting such as Zoom. I’m also working on perfecting some instruments I’ve neglected, going to try and work out a little and reorganize some of my rooms while praying this whole corona scare ends.”

Ann Gibbens Davis Phi Lambda; Washington D.C. Alumni; Sykesville, MD Pianist

“I’ve been taking over as the church accompanist at the senior center where I live. I will be doing these services here until the pandemic is released. I may be doing this all summer. God has given me a gift to be able to do this for all the people who live here — 400 people who are unable to leave for their own churches and for those who live in the health center. It’s all live-streamed to all the residents. I’ve also been working in the flower garden — spring is here!”

Laurie Meinhold Beta Alpha Aliso Viejo, CA

“ I’m teaching online through COVID-19. I am teaching using Zoom and staying connected with friends on Facebook. I had a coffee party on Zoom for fellow piano teachers one morning. My church has services on Facebook and prayer meetings on Zoom. I try to text and call friends regularly.”

Emily Laque, Alpha Pi, Texas State University San Marcos

“ I am a music studies major who plays tuba. In my free time I enjoy hiking, gardening, and hanging out with my sisters. My pledge class calls each other via Zoom and I like to practice my tuba outside since the music building is closed. Overall, it’s not too bad!”

Lorna Katz, Gamma Sigma, California State University Dominguez Hills, president Carson, CA Senior, music performance major

“When I am not busy with my music studies, I love to tend my vegetable garden and cook gourmet meals. I love the camaraderie of our chapter. We enjoy each other’s company and have fun in everything we do. I have been keeping busy by studying during our Zoom class meetings, doing the homework assignments, working my vegetables, planning meals in advance, and catching up on [pre-recorded] shows. I have also made it a point to attend Zoom meetings for my two choirs and also for my women’s barbershop quartet. We also hold bi-weekly Zoom meetings with Gamma Sigma.

Cristina Reyes Delta Omega, OLLU, San Antonio, former president and founding member El Paso, TX Singer, Diocesan Choir of El Paso.

“ Since I am alone with just my two cats right now, I have been singing and practicing my instruments (piano, guitar and violin). Also, I’ve been going to physical therapy and tackling my to-do list. I video-chat with my friends and family.”

Ann Geiler Phi Theta; St. Louis Alumni, president St. Louis, MO Cellist, retired orchestra director

“ I have been busy organizing my office, writing my District Director Reports and keeping in contact with people I know to make sure they are doing OK through the pandemic.”

Lauren Antoniolli Beta Omicron, president, Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois

“ I’ve been practicing a lot, calling friends and family members, taking online classes, and watching Netflix! I’m staying in the residence halls at WIU so I do get some social interaction when I go downstairs for meals! We try to keep our distance as much as possible, and they check our temperature every day.” SPRING 2020 I thetriangle 23 Evelyn Podolsky, Beta Omicron Western Illinois University Music education student “I will be graduating in May.

I am a violinist, and I love to be outside. I am currently a mix of being stressed out and extremely bored from being home all the time.”