Dewberry School of Music

A group of George Mason University mechanical engineering students are building a motorized Vitruvian man for a Center for the Arts (CFA) performance of "Flying to the Stars," a choral concert dedicated to the beginnings of flight from the time of Leonardo da Vinci to the exploration of space. 

For the second year in a row, Mason's own Green Machine Ensembles performed for delighted locals at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, an event where roughly 40,000 guests were welcomed throughout the day's festivities.

Dedicated to performing every note ever composed by Frédéric Chopin, the internationally celebrated pianist Brian Ganz continues his quest in "Romantic Revolutionary" at the Center for the Arts on May 4. Maryland Theatre Guide notes that when attending a concert by Brian Ganz, audience members are sure to be enraptured by “one of the foremost pianists of his generation.”

At George Mason University Dewberry School of Music, the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Darden Purcell, has notably marked the past year with accolades that spotlight not just their musical aptitude but the inclusive spirit that defines the university.

We applaud Dr. Monson's remarkable commitment and her significant influence on the world of piano music. Her inclusion in the 2023 Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions to music education.

Returning for their second of three years as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble and Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens present the world premiere of American Railroad, an initiative that maps American music through the various communities involved in building the late-1800s Transcontinental Railroad and its connecting railways. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad artists will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed within.

Prior to the special performance of Renée Elise Goldsberry in Concert headlining the evening, College of Visual and Performing Arts students showcase their talents in visual arts, music, game design, dance, and more. Read on to learn more about some of the stellar performances and experiences you can partake in when visiting ARTS by George!

Professors from Mason's Dewberry School of Music and Mason's School of Dance collaborated to create a performance that brought together dancers and musicians live onstage.

The GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble debuted their newest program, Uplifted Voices, at the Center for the Arts on January 29, launching their multi-year participation as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Championing women and non-binary members of the Silkroad Ensemble, alongside special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé, Uplifted Voices featured a musical tapestry connecting the sounds and rhythms of indigenous North America to the World. Silkroad Ensemble’s radical cultural collaboration seeks to build bridges of understanding to combat fear and build a more hopeful and inclusive world.

Julianna Nickel, a professional flutist and adjunct professor at Mason, shares how she deals with focal dystonia, a rare neurological condition that nearly derailed her career, and where she is now.