Lauren (Shackelford) Mason serves as an Assistant Professor of Music at The Master’s University, where she teaches piano lessons and courses in music theory, piano pedagogy, and other piano-focused subjects. With over two decades of teaching experience, she has guided students from beginner to collegiate levels since 2000. As a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), Prof. Mason operates a private pre-college piano studio in Newhall, California, adjudicates piano competitions, and actively performs as a collaborative pianist across Southern California.

Prof. Mason holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Pedagogy from Cedarville University. Her dedication to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Music Teachers National Association Star Award, the Gail Boyd deStwolinski Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Dorothy Detrick Kendall Memorial Piano Scholarship, and the Cedarville University Faculty Scholarship Award.

A respected leader within the professional music community, Prof. Mason is a past president of the Santa Clarita Valley/Ventura Chapter of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers. She is also an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, the Music Teachers National Association, and the National Federation of Music Clubs. Her insights have been featured in prominent publications such as American Music Teacher and California Music Teacher journals.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lauren enjoys life with her husband, Benjamin, their daughter, and their two beloved ragdoll cats.