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 Derek Herrmann or call 703-993-2137 if you are interested in any of the following opportunities.
- Snack Attack- Provide caloric and emotional support for George Mason music students during finals
- Welcome Tables- Provide information about George 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
- Co-President: Linda Harber
- Co-President: Barbara Jacksier
- First Vice President: Bob Warakomsky
- Vice President for Finance: David Ritchey
- Vice President for Special Events: Karen Evans
- Secretary: Marilyn T. Smith
Board of Directors
- Joseph Colao
- Peter DiGiovanni
- Kim Fogelson
- Rita Gigliotti
- Alice Heyer
- Prof. June Huang
- Joseph Kanyan
- Dr. Linda Apple Monson
- Norma Reck
- Maurissa Sosa
- David Stone
- Sherry Watkins
- Marty Whipple
Board Associates
- Susan Aitel
- David Anderson
- Michelle Blandburg
- Christina Cutlip
- Jennifer Disano
- Sophy Peng Ender
- Dan Feighery
- Jean Feighery
- Caroline Feil
- Alex Fogelson
- Shelly Gersten
- Linda Hamerschlag
- Mark Irchai
- Kevin McCarthy
- Kay Rongley
- Ray Rongley
- Karen Scheer
- Sarah Selvaraj D'Souza
- Mandy Sims
- Janet Walker
CVPA Staff
Susan Graziano
Senior Director of Development
Email: sglomb@gmu.edu
703-993-4188
Derek Herrmann
Asst. Director of Development
Email: dherrma@gmu.edu
703-993-2137
Lauren Peters
Development Assistant
Email: lpeter27@gmu.edu
703-993-2052
"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
"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

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.

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.