SYNNERGY

JUNE 24-27, 2026 | KNOXVILLE, TN

As the culmination of our Summer Festival, Nief-Norf’s SYNNERGY Conference unites our local and international audiences, showcasing the vibrant spirit of today’s newest chamber music!

REGISTER NOW

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

CONCERTS · PANEL DISCUSSIONS · INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
MASTERCLASSES · SOLO COMPETITION
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS · INSTALLATIONS

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE!

  • WEDNESDAY

    OPENING CONCERT
    Reich’s Drumming, 8:00 PM

  • THURSDAY

    CONFERENCE EVENTS
    Installations (Rob McClure & Brian Awad)
    Improvisation Workshop (Kelley Sheehan)
    Careers in Music Technology Panel
    Composer Presentations (Ella Kaale & Coral Douglas)
    Interactive Workshops (Jamie Leigh Sampson, Brian Ellis, & Alex Ring Gray)
    Research Presentation (Douglas Boyce)
    & more!

    CONCERTS
    World Premieres I, 2:00 PM
    World Premieres II, 8:00 PM

  • FRIDAY

    CONFERENCE EVENTS
    Installations (Lawton Hall & James Parker)
    Arts Administration Presentation (Alex Dally
    Building & Maintaining a Professional Ensemble Panel (Bergamot Quartet)
    Interactive Workshops (Gabriel Zucker & Drew Farrar)
    Composer Presentations (Rob McClure, Ty Bloomfield, & Charlie Peck)
    Research Presentations (Natalie Dietterich & richi valitutto)
    & more!

    CONCERTS
    World Premieres III, 2:00 PM
    Solo Competition Showcase, 5:00 PM
    Call for Scores Showcase, 8:00 PM

  • SATURDAY

    All Day: Installations (Saul Alpert-Abrams & Pamela Martinez)

    10:00 AM
    NNSF Alumni Solos performed by Violet Hill

    11:30 AM
    Makana Medeiros & Kevin Zetina Duo

    2:00 PM
    Kelley Sheehan Portrait Concert

    3:30 PM
    Bergamot Quartet Showcase

    5:00 PM
    Music of Green, Eastman, & Loew (GEL)

    8:00 PM
    Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

ATTEND

Join us for performances, presentations, workshops, and conversations exploring today’s most adventurous chamber music! Concerts are free & open to the public, while all other conference events require registration (starting at $39.99)!

ALL NNSF ALUMNI MAY ATTEND FOR FREE!

  • SYNNERGY Registration Includes:

    • Access to all workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, all-play events, research presentations, & more!

    • A personalized badge!

    Registration Fee:

    SYNNERGY registration is offered on a sliding scale, with a minimum cost of $40, and a recommended amount between $150 - $475.

    This model reflects our commitment to reducing financial barriers and making participation in the new music community as accessible as possible. We invite participants to register at a level that feels sustainable for them, or to give at a higher tier if they are able, helping support broader access for others.

    By using a flexible pricing structure, SYNNERGY aims to ensure that cost is never the reason someone cannot take part in the exchange of ideas, performances, and collaborations that define this event.

    There is currently no registration deadline, and in-person registration will also be offered!

  • CUMBERLAND HOUSE
    Rate    : $189/night (+ applicable fees & taxes)
    Location: 18-minute walk / 6-minute drive to conference events
    Booking Link: SYNNERGY 2026 Cumberland House Booking Link
    Booking Deadline: May 27, 2026

    THE GRADUATE KNOXVILLE
    Rate: $189/night (+ applicable fees & taxes)
    Location: 8-minute walk / 2-minute drive to conference events
    Booking Link: SYNNERGY 2026 Graduate Booking Link
    Booking Deadline: June 5, 2026


    If you would like to be connected with other attendees to discuss the potential of sharing a local Airbnb, please indicate so on your registration form!

  • Nearest Airport
    McGhee Tyson Airport
    Alcoa, Tennessee    🔗

    SYNNERGY Location
    Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
    University of TN, Knoxville     🔗

    Travel Plans
    If you are driving from a nearby city (Nashville, Atlanta, Lexington, Asheville, etc.) and would like to be connected with other attendees to potentially carpool, please reach out to adally@niefnorf.org!

  • SYNNERGY sponsorships may be in-kind (raffle/auction packages, artist meals, etc.) or monetary (directly supports artist stipends, production costs, and our ability to keep all concerts completely free). Sponsorship tiers begin at $100.

    Please view our 2026 sponsorship packet HERE.

    Vendors: Nief-Norf will have conference booth space available for local organizations and businesses. If interested, please contact Alex Dally (adally@niefnorf.org) for more information!

REGISTER NOW!

REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-SITE, BUT PRE-REGISTER BY JUNE 1 TO RECEIVE A CUSTOM CONFERENCE BADGE!

FEATURED ARTISTS

  • BERGAMOT QUARTET

  • MARIA CASTILLO

  • LISA CELLA

  • CLAIRE CHENETTE

  • ABBY FISHER

  • ANNIE JENG

  • NICOLEE KUESTER

  • CHELSEA LOEW

  • KELLEY SHEEHAN

  • KEVIN ZETINA

  • RUSSELL HARTENBERGER

  • MATTHEW LAU

  • CONTINUOUS MOTION PRODUCTIONS

  • TY BLOOMFIELD

  • ALEX DALLY

  • CORAL DOUGLAS

  • ALEX RING GRAY

  • VIOLET HILL

  • ELLA KAALE

  • TURNER MCCABE

  • ROB MCCLURE

  • MICHAEL MIXTACKI

  • CHARLIE PECK

  • & MORE!

PARTICIPATE

Apply to present, compete, or host an installation at SYNNERGY 2026! All submissions require a $20 application fee and include a conference badge.

Applications/submissions are due APRIL 20 and
selections will be determined by APRIL 25!

ALL NNSF ALUMNI & NNSF26 FELLOWS MAY APPLY FOR FREE!

  • Apply to present your research at SYNNERGY! For 2026, proposals are encouraged to have a focus on music technology and/or composition, Steve Reich, or Julius Eastman!

    APPLICATION FORM 🔗

  • Apply to present a masterclass or workshop at SYNNERGY! For 2026, proposals are encouraged to have a focus on music technology and/or composition, Steve Reich, or Julius Eastman!

    APPLICATION FORM 🔗

  • Apply to present your installation at SYNNERGY! Installations will be selected to display for one day or the duration of the conference!

    SUBMISSION FORM 🔗

  • Register to compete in the SYNNERGY 2026 solo competition!

    For 2026, pieces must have an electronic or fixed media element.

    The competition will take place in person on the morning of Friday, June 26; winners will be notified by midday and invited to perform at a 5:00pm showcase.

    Spots are limited to 25 competitors, and are available first come, first served. All competitors must perform a 2-3 minute excerpt of their piece in person.

    REGISTRATION FORM 🔗