Alumni Faculty

Megan Mason

Associate Professor of Music; Fine & Performing Arts Division Chair; Director of Chamber Music

Professor Megan Mason

“I love teaching collaboration and a new way of working together through Chamber Music as well as helping students learn the basics of theory and aural skills. I believe music is a great lens through which we can view our world and each other. Southern Virginia University provides the perfect laboratory for making great music together. ”

Education

  • Master of Music, Music Performance, The Juilliard School, 2009
  • Bachelor of Music with Highest Honors, Music Performance, University of Michigan, 2006

Courses

  • Music Major: Chamber Music, Music Theory, Aural Skills, String Pedagogy

Teaching Positions & Professional Experience

  • Joined the Southern Virginia University faculty in 2018
  • Adjunct Viola Instructor and Orchestral Section Coach, Washington & Lee, 2019–present
  • Principal Violist, Ballet West Orchestra, 2016–18
  • Orchestra Coordinator, Intermountain Suzuki String Institute, 2015–present
  • Head of Viola Department, Viola and Violin Instructor, and Director of Summer Camps, Gifted Music School, 2013–18
  • Member, Orchestra at Temple Square, 2012–18
  • Founding Violist, Tesla Quartet, 2008–13

Scholarship & Creative Work

  • Completed a three-year professional residency at the University of Colorado at Boulder, studying under world-renowned Takacs Quartet
  • Composer, arranger, and recording artist for many soundtracks of movies, video games, commercials, and albums across genres
  • Guest performer and/or faculty member at music festivals in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Michigan, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, Arkansas, Montreal, France, England, and Germany

Awards, Leadership & Service

  • Gold Medal recipient at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, 2012
  • Awarded prizes at the 2012 London and 2013 Bordeaux International String Quartet Competitions and 2008 J. C. Arriaga Chamber Music Competition
  • First Place, Concerto Competition at the University of Colorado in Boulder, 2010
  • First Place, Regional and Michigan State Competitions of the Music Teachers National Association, 2007