Colin Mason, DMA, is Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at Temple College where he teaches the Saxophone Studio, the Temple College Saxophone Quartet, Humanities, and is Lead Alto Saxophonist with the Temple Jazz Orchestra. He is a freelance performer and educator in the Austin, TX area, and has performed across the United States with Indian Tabla Artist Sandip Burman. Past academic appointments he has held include positions as Director of Jazz Studies at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Acting Coordinator of Jazz Studies at The University of New Hampshire. Mr. Mason has taught at a variety of levels, ranging from middle school through university levels, and has backed major jazz artists such as James Moody, Michael Brecker, and George Shearing.

He is currently a member of The Elision Saxophone Quartet which is listed on the Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster. ESQ completed a two-week performance tour of China in December, 2006, and presented their New York City debut at The Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall in April, 2007. They have also performed at The Round Top Center for The Performing Arts, The Irving Center for the Arts, the floor of the State of Texas House of Representatives Chamber, and The University of Houston-Clear Lake, among many other venues. Dr. Mason is active as a performer, jazz festival judge and clinician across the United States and Europe, performing and teaching in a variety of venues. In addition, he has presented at the College Music Society’s National Conference, the International Association for Jazz Education’s Annual Conference, the IAJE South Central Regional Conference, and the TMEA Annual Conference twice. Dr. Mason holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education with a Jazz Emphasis from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Music Degree in Saxophone Performance from Northern Arizona University, and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Performance from San Diego State University.