Meet the 2023 Draylen Mason Fellows

Austin Soundwaves is proud to announce the fifth class of the Draylen Mason Fellows Program (DMFP), consisting of seniors Erikka Middleton, Elif Painaik, Unity Laws, and Elijah Andrew Jones, junior Ileana Martinez Yáñez, sophomores Angel Carrizales and Iris Martinez, and freshman Michael Chong. All of the fellows are high school musicians and students from the Austin area and have been meeting regularly since September. The most recent class of fellows showcased their musical talents and original work at the Draylen Mason Music Studio at KMFA Classical 89.5 back in late May, in honor of what would have been Draylen’s 22nd birthday.

The Draylen Mason Fellows Program honors the legacy of Draylen Mason by furthering the musical and personal development of a select group of high school students. Over the course of one year, Draylen Mason Fellows design and lead an original capstone performance that draws inspiration from a social justice issue collectively chosen by the cohort. Now in year 5, 22 students have completed DMFP and 100% of DMFP graduates are attending college.