Maura Shawn Scanlin
Born in Boone NC, Maura Shawn Scanlin currently makes her home in Arlington, MA. In May 2019, she completed her Masters Degree in Violin Performance at the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Ani Kavafian. Previously, Maura studied violin with Lucy Chapman while completing her Bachelors Degree at the New England Conservatory. Maura’s classical collaborations with various ensembles have led her to the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition, the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, and the Banff Chamber Music Residency. Maura has studied with renowned chamber musicians such as the Borromeo String Quartet, the Brentano String Quartet, Kim Kashkashian, Roger Tapping. She is currently a member of the newly formed Boston-based Rasa String Quartet.
Maura also enjoys performing and collaborating with musicians in a variety of non-classical styles ranging from traditional folk to contemporary improvisatory music. She is a member of several bands based in the greater Boston area. She performs and tours regularly with duo project Rakish. She is also a member of the contemporary Scottish outfit the Bywater Band. Maura is a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion, and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship in Perthshire, Scotland. She has toured and shared the stage with musicians including Seamus Egan, Maeve Gilchrist, Hanneke Cassel, Karan Casey, among others.
Maura has performed across North America and the United Kingdom, appearing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Blair Castle, Shalin-Liu Performance Center, and The Sinclair. She has performed at music festivals including Merlefest, KVMR Celtic Festival, Boston Celtic Music Festival, Bellingham Irish Festival, New Hampshire Highland Games, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Rockport Celtic Festival, and Folk Alliance International.
Maura can be found on faculty at various music camps including Boston States Fiddle Camp, Hanneke Cassel’s Pure Dead Fiddle Weekend, Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Heartbeat Music Project, and Up With Music’s Summer Strings. Through collaborations, performances, and teaching, Maura hopes to cultivate appreciation for live acoustic music of all styles.
Maura plays a German violin made by Erst Heinrich Roth in 1923.
About the album:
This album features music from my background in traditional Irish and Scottish fiddle styles, and highlights some newly composed music that nods to the traditional styles, but expands on the tradition with influence from classical chamber music and American music. Mostly instrumentals and a couple songs, the album features many friends: Owen Marshall, Conor Hearn, Neil Pearlman, Eamon Sefton, Rasa String Quartet, Sarah Collins, Kat Wallace, Steven Manwaring, and Elias Alexander.