Mason Bates

Mason Bates is a composer and educator at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), where he serves as a Collegiate Composition Contact and teaches Applied Lessons and Composition. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, an MM from The Juilliard School, and a BA from Columbia College. His work bridges classical music with electronica, blending orchestral elements with modern electronic sounds. He is known for his residency roles at the Kennedy Center and Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has composed music for film, including Gus Van Sant’s Sea of Trees.

Research interests focus on innovative composition techniques, such as his teaching philosophy of 'themify the theme,' emphasizing deliberate artistic intent and structural clarity. He actively collaborates with artists like librettist Mark Campbell and explores跨界 projects like his DJ persona 'DJ Masonic.' Awards include the Grammy Award and Heinz Award in the Humanities.

Bates advises students on expanding creative boundaries and emphasizes curating immersive musical experiences. His unrealized projects include an oratorio or animated film. Collaborations with orchestras and electronic artists underscore his mission to modernize classical music’s accessibility and appeal.