Sonya Lawson

Dr. Sonya Lawson is a Professor at Westfield State University, specializing in Music History with a Supporting Area in Viola Performance. She earned her B.M. from the University of Memphis, M.M. from the University of Minnesota, and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, where her dissertation explored the history of strings in jazz.

• Education: B.M. (University of Memphis), M.M. (University of Minnesota), Ph.D. (University of Oregon)

Her research interests include cognitive musicology, innovations in music history pedagogy, and the intersection of string instruments with jazz traditions. Dr. Lawson has authored pioneering publications on jazz violists and the historical evolution of string instruments in jazz, contributing to broader discussions in musicology and performance studies.

Professionally, she has served as Principal Violist of the Tennessee Philharmonic and Assistant Principal of the Cheyenne Symphony. As a member of The Knotty Ensemble, an avant-garde chamber group, she has released two CDs on the Third Rail label, blending classical and jazz traditions.