Friends of Music at Mason

Scholarships and program-related endowments prepare young artists for exciting careers in music, and enrich the community with artistic and innovative musicians, scholars, music educators, and ambassadors for the arts.

Friends of Music at Mason


The Friends of Music at Mason’s mission is to support and build community awareness of George Mason University‘s outstanding Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music and to raise scholarship funds for deserving music students. As a Friend of Music, your efforts and contributions will: 

  • Support specific areas of study through student scholarships and program-related endowments 
  • Prepare young artists for exciting careers in music 
  • Enrich the community with artistic and innovative musicians, scholars, music educators, and ambassadors for the arts 

Your life will benefit as well through: 

  • Connection with the Dewberry School of Music’s renowned faculty 
  • Interaction through activities and programs that allow the Friends of Music and music students to get to know each other outside of the classroom
  • Volunteer opportunities for an array of special events and programs that support our students and faculty 

All Friends of Music at Mason receive: 

  • Recognition in Dewberry School of Music concert programs 
  • Invitations to special concerts and receptions 
  • Unique educational programs and master classes by guest artists
  • E-communications from the Dewberry School of Music and Friends of Music at Mason 
  • Opportunities to participate in special scholarship programs and activities 

Levels of Support are listed in Playbills as: 

  • Friend – Gift of ANY amount up to $199 
  • Performer – $200 – $499 
  • Section Leader – $500 – $999 
  • Soloist – $1000 – $4999 
  • Diva – $5000 – $9999 
  • Conductor – $10,000 + 

The Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) has a wide variety of opportunities for everyone to become involved.

Please email Johnna Johnson or call 703-993-1087 if you are interested in any of the following opportunities. 

  • Snack Attack- Provide caloric and emotional support for Mason music students during finals 
  • Welcome Tables- Provide information about Mason Music at performances throughout the season 
  • Mailings 
  • Special Events 

To make a gift to support our FOMM scholarships, please visit the donation page and enter the gift amount in the Friends of Music at Mason designation.

The Friends of Music at Mason Board

Officers

  • President: Linda Harber   
  • First Vice President: Bob Warakomsky  
  • Vice President for Special Events: Barbara Jacksier 
  • Vice President for Finance: Joe Kanyan  
  • Vice President for Outreach: David Ritchey 
  • Secretary: Marilyn Smith

Board of Directors 

  • Rita Gigliotti
  • Alice Heyer 
  • June Huang 
  • Jerry Long 
  • Dr. Linda Apple Monson 
  • Manny Pablo 
  • Stacey Remick-Simpkins 
  • Claire Saret 
  • Maurissa Sosa
  • David Stone 
  • Sherry Watkins 
  • Marty Whipple 

Board Associates 

  • Susan Aitel 
  • David Anderson 
  • Jim Bennett 
  • Michelle Blandburg 
  • Mike Booth 
  • Jennifer Disano
  • Sophy Peng Ender
  • Kim Fogelson
  • Audrey Fortner 
  • Shelly Gersten 
  • Linda Hamerschlag 
  • Kathleen Kehoe
  • Evans Mandes 
  • Kevin McCarthy 
  • Kay Rongley 
  • Chris Scheer
  • Mindy Sims
  • Loza Teodros
"My involvement and dedication to the Reva and Sid Dewberry School of Music has been made possible because of the generous donors of Friends of Music at Mason. These generous individuals have had such a positive impact on my education and will always hold a special place in my heart." 
- Kaitlyn Burns, 2023
Kaitlyn Burns
Kaitlyn Burns, 2023

In addition to serving as FOMM's Fall 2022 intern, Kaitlyn is a Mason Music Ambassador, and the Vice-President of the National Association for Music Education.

Alexandra Kowalski, 2025

Alex is a FOMM Awardee and Mason Music Ambassador.  She recently performed at the Virginia Music Educator Association Conference as part of the Mason 5-2-5 Quintet.

"I am a second year music education student from Springfield, Virginia. My primary instrument is horn. I am so thankful for my scholarship from the Friends of Music at Mason because I am provided assistance to achieve all of my academic goals. Additionally, I am supported in my goals of becoming a secondary school band director after college. As a first generation college student, scholarship opportunities like these are so vital to my education. I am very thankful to be a FOMM scholar." Alexandra Kowalski, 2023