Music Education at the Heart of Mason Music Institute

Mason Music Institute (MMI) was created to give music education opportunities and reward the hard work of young music students in our community. We do this by focusing on four areas:

1. Supporting the work of our partnering schools - Indian Springs Academy of Music and Piano Players are partners in MMI's mission. Together, these two schools provide lessons and concert opportunities year round to over 400 music students in the Butler, Warren, and Hamilton counties region.

2. Creating performance opportunities - we proudly sponsor two resident ensembles, Cello Cincinnati and Voices of Hope. Cello Cincinnati is directed by its founder, Kat Aguiar. One of the most influential cello instructors in our area, Ms. Aguiar formed the group with the goal of giving the ideal environment to develop an eclectic repertoire while fostering camaraderie among student cellists. Voices of Hope is a children's group directed by Shannon Vasconcelos focused on music education activities in the city of Hamilton.

3. Recognizing High Achievement - MMI's Annual Celebration of Excellence Gala acknowledges student and teacher work in a ceremonial setting and provides top students with a performance opportunity at one of Cincinnati's premier stages, the Jarson-Kaplan Theater of the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

4. Providing Scholarships - Mason Music Institute gives need-based scholarships to students of its partner schools, increasing the reach of music education in our area. Additionally, one high school senior is chosen from a pool of applicants yearly to receive the Kerri Jean Vail Scholarship in recognition of the student's outstanding effort in music, education, technology, and entrepreneurship.

   
   

Naomi T., student of ISAM's Director Emeritus Sheila Vail, in performance at the 2025 Celebration of Excellence Gala