Music Faculty and Staff

  • Cristian Perez

    Producer of Mason Music Productions, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Defying all musical labels, Argentine guitarist/composer Cristian Perez weaves together genres from throughout the world to reveal the universality of music. With a strong foundation in classical, jazz and South American music, he crafts a singular voice, rich in sensitivity and nuance, that freely explores the possibilities of music as an art form.
  • Xavier Perez

    Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ SAXOPHONE, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Originally from Miami, Florida Xavier has performed in 13 countries and 48 states with a wide range of artists in the jazz and Latin music worlds. Xavier was the only U.S representative selected to perform in the final elimination round at an international saxophone competition where he placed 2nd place out of hundreds of applicants from more than 20 countries.
  • William (David) Porter

    Adjunct Faculty, TUBA, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    William D. (David) Porter is a retired CMSgt from The United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C. During his 24 year career there, he played tuba with The Concert Band, The Ceremonial Brass and The Symphony Orchestra.
  • Dr. Simon Prosser's headshot

    Assistant professor of THEORY and AURAL SKILLS, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Simon Prosser is the newly appointed Term Assistant Professor of Theory and Aural Skills at George Mason University, effective August 2023. Dr. Prosser previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Dr. Prosser holds the BA in Music from the University of Toronto (2010), the MA in Music from Indiana University (2012) and the PhD from the Graduate Center from the City University of New York (2021).
  • Victor Provost

    Adjunct Faculty, STEEL PAN, Steel Pan Ensemble, Improvisation I and II, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Victor Provost’s performances transcend the expectations of instrument and genre.  With  appearances at major venues throughout the world (including Shanghai Concert Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center) he has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with.
  • Darden Purcell

    Director of JAZZ STUDIES, JAZZ VOICE, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Darden Purcell, jazz vocalist, is a featured soloist with symphony orchestras, big bands and small ensembles, as well as a band leader and vocal instructor.  She has collaborated with many of the world’s top jazz artists, and is a former Washington, D.C. Air Force Band vocalist as part of the pop/rock group High Flight.
  • Shawn Purcell

    Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ GUITAR, Jazz Arranging, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Shawn Purcell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist, educator, arranger, and composer in the Washington DC region. Purcell has shared the stage, recorded with, and/or toured with top jazz artists including: Terell Stafford, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, Sean Jones, Brian Charette, Steve Fidyk, Dana Hall, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Jeannie Bryson, Eddie Daniels, Chris Potter, Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Allee and many others.
  • Jonathan Rance

    Adjunct Faculty, PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Originally hailing from New Zealand, Jonathan has been involved in musical pursuits of one form or another since the age of four. While attending the University of Auckland where he completed studies for a Bachelor of Music (Honors), Jonathan was a regular performer with the Auckland Philharmonia.
  • Director of COMPOSITION, Associate Professor, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Dr. Andrea Reinkemeyer, internationally performed American composer, joins the faculty of George Mason University in Fall 2023 as Associate Professor and Director of Composition. Widely commissioned by orchestras, universities, and chamber ensembles across the United States, critics hail Dr. Reinkemeyer’s unique synesthetic soundscapes that blur the boundary between sound and vision, to “magical” (Fanfare) and even “enchanting” effect (International Choral Bulletin).
  • Lauren Rigby

    Assistant to the Director and Marketing Coordinator, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Ms. Lauren Rigby joined our administrative staff as the new Assistant to the Director and Marketing Coordinator at the Dewberry School of Music. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a Vocal/Choral Teaching License and a Minor in Spanish.