Phi Kappa Phi is proud to feature 2022 Fellow, Elizabeth Ritchie. This past fall, Ritchie began work on her master’s in Collaborative Piano at Arizona State University.

As an undergraduate Ritchie earned her bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from James Madison University in May 2022. During her undergraduate tenure, she participated in the JMU Honors College and worked as a peer instructor for JMU Academic Success Program. Additionally, she won the James Madison University Piano Area Concerto Competition twice and played with various ensembles. Her goal is to use music as a medium to bridge communication barriers.

The deadline to apply for one of 62 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships is April 15, 2023. The Society will award 54 Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 each to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $649,000 annually to deserving students for first-year graduate or professional study. The competition is open to all active Phi Kappa Phi members who meet the eligibility requirements.   

Ritchie stated, " making music with another human is intrinsically a practice in empathy, as I must work to simultaneously communicate my own story, understand my partner’s story, and mold both of them into one coherent story for our listener.”

Each active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may endorse one candidate from among its local applicants to compete Society-wide for a fellowship. The national deadline for chapters to submit an applicant is April 15. Applicants must apply through their local chapter. Chapter deadlines vary, typically two weeks prior to the national deadline. Check with your chapter. 

For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org/fellowship or contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.