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Mason Daffinnee
Brass Instructor
Mason Daffinee is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. He was raised in Binghamton, N.Y. by his mother who is a very talented musician. While attending high school he performed with the Spectrum Drum and Bugle Corps from 1995-1998. He then performed with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 1999-2002 learning from some of the most talented and experienced educators in the activity. As a member of the Phantom Regiment he was awarded the 2002 Contra I&E Gold Medal and the Phantom Regiment 2002 Member of the Year Award. While in college he took part in a hands-on internship at the Frederick Douglas Academy in Harlem, was the associate conductor of the Ithaca College Campus Band, and taught private brass lessons for the Salvation Army. Upon his graduation from college he performed with Blast! On tour, throughout the United States and Japan.
Recently, Mr. Daffinee Mason has taught in Vestal N.Y. directing the high school marching band, middle school band, beginning band, guitar class, and winter guard. Also while working with Vestal one of his two winter guards earned a state championship in the middle school novice class. Mason currently resides in Irving Texas and teaches at Bowie Middle School. He is partly responsible for a booming middle school program of 350 students. Throughout his life Mason has been blessed to be influenced by mentors and friends such as Steve Matejka, Mike Klesch, Amanda Drinkwater, and Chris Lewis-King.
On a separate note Mason is particularly proud of his 2002 completion of the Ontario Shore Marathon and is glad to be back on staff with the Phantom Regiment after a season off.
