Soulful Strings and Rising Stars: The Story of Audrey Mason
In today’s music world, breakthroughs often come from young voices with clear vision and raw authenticity. One such voice is Audrey Mason—a 17-year-old multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter based in Northern Michigan. Grounded in emotional honesty and creative ambition, Audrey has rapidly carved her place on the local scene and beyond. This article explores the journey, musical identity, and growing legacy of Audrey Mason, offering insight into who she is and why her music resonates.
Early Life and Musical Roots of Audrey Mason
Childhood Begins the Journey
From a young age, Audrey Mason demonstrated a natural affinity for music. At around 13 years old, she began performing locally across Northern Michigan, honing her skills in both original compositions and covers. Early stage time provided not just experience, but an essential connection with audiences—an emotional currency she would come to treasure.
Interlochen Arts Academy: Growth & Training
Now a Junior at Interlochen Arts Academy, Audrey studies majoring in Singer/Songwriting. This arts-intensive education has given her exposure to rigorous technique, collaboration, and a fertile environment to experiment. The academic and creative atmosphere of Interlochen has played a key role in shaping her lyrical style, performance confidence, and musical maturity.
Musical Skills & Instrumentation
Multi-Instrumentalist Prowess
One of the defining traits of Audrey Mason is her versatility. While she frequently performs on guitar, her repertoire extends to cello, electric bass, piano, and cajon. This range allows her to approach songwriting and performance from multiple angles—melodic, rhythmic, harmonic—giving depth to her sound.
Solo and Ensemble Voices
Audrey performs both as a solo act and in collaboration. Her solo work showcases intimacy and vulnerability, while in group settings, her multi-instrumental background complements other voices. This flexibility allows her to be expressive in diverse contexts and adapt to different audience needs and venues.
A to Z: Collaboration and Band Growth
Formation of A to Z with Zinnia Dungjen
A central chapter in Audrey’s journey is her partnership with friend Zinnia Dungjen in the duo A to Z. What began as a two-person musical venture has evolved into a fuller band arrangement. Audrey’s doubling as vocalist and instrumentalist blends seamlessly with Zinnia’s contributions, creating a tight musical synergy anchored by their shared vision.
Expansion & Live Sound Dynamics
Over time, A to Z has expanded to include a drummer, adding rhythmic layers to the duo’s foundation. This growth enhances the live experience, enriching texture and bringing more power to their performances. The band now balances delicate folk-infused moments with more dynamic, full-bodied instrumentation.
Notable Openings & Performances
During her music career, Audrey Mason has shared the stage as an opening act for well-known artists such as The Accidentals, Five for Fighting, and Joshua Davis. These opportunities validate her presence in the live music circuit, exposing her talent to wider audiences and building credibility. Performing in Northern Michigan—Leelanau, Traverse City, and surrounding areas—she continues to grow her regional footprint.
Artistic Vision, Style & Influence
Sound and Genre Fusion
At the heart of Audrey’s music is a delicate fusion of genres. She blends mountain folk sensibilities with R&B and jazz influences, creating a unique sonic palette that feels grounded yet exploratory. Her songwriting often embraces emotional storytelling, vulnerability, and musical textures that speak to both heart and imagination.
Emotional Connection Through Music
Beyond technical proficiency lies Audrey’s deeper aspiration: forging emotional connection. She believes in music as a means of witnessing humanity, breaking down barriers, and forging genuine bonds between performer and audience. This philosophy guides her live performances, lyrical choices, and the way she shapes her compositions.
Lyrical Themes & Voice
Her lyrics often address introspection, relationships, longing, growth, and universal emotions—“writing stuff about stuff,” as she puts it. Her voice carries sincerity rather than forced polish, aligning with her goal of authenticity over artifice. Her artistry thrives in the spaces between strength and fragility.
Career Highlights & Milestones
Local and Regional Impact
From performing solo gigs to playing for community events and local festivals, Audrey Mason has steadily built a reputation in her home region. Her performances at places like Iron Fish Distillery, St. Ambrose Cellars, and Kingsley Farmers Market typify her commitment to grassroots reach and community connection.
Song Project: “About Karma” & Recognition
One of the duo’s early works, “About Karma,” stood out as a songwriting milestone. Co-written on day one of collaboration with Zinnia, it made waves in local songwriting circles, and even earned runner-up status in regional contest settings. The song underscores their ability to collaborate quickly yet meaningfully.
Opening for National Acts
Opening for acts like Five for Fighting and The Accidentals gave Audrey exposure to larger audiences and the chance to perform in more professional settings. These live opportunities test stage presence, endurance, and adaptability—and Audrey has met those challenges head on.
Future Direction & Aspirations
Building a Wider Audience
As Audrey continues her journey, she is poised to expand beyond regional circuits. Her ambition—evident in her musical output and live work—is to grow a supportive fanbase that appreciates thoughtful, emotionally resonant music. Recording, releasing singles or an EP, streaming presence, and touring will likely be on the horizon.
Depth Over Flash
Her ethos favors depth over spectacle. Audrey aims not for fleeting virality but for lasting emotional impact—music that lingers, connects, and evolves with listeners.
Long-Term Vision
Looking ahead, Audrey may pursue collaborative projects, broader genre experimentation, or even production roles for other artists. Her wide musical foundation, academic training at Interlochen, and early success suggest she has the tools to build a sustainable, evolving music career.
Conclusion: The Rising Resonance of Audrey Mason
In an age saturated with digital content and fleeting trends, Audrey Mason shines through with authenticity, musical depth, and a clear sense of purpose. As a 17-year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer, she has already achieved important milestones—from opening for well-known acts to cultivating a musically rich duo with Zinnia Dungjen. Her blend of folk, R&B, and jazz, coupled with emotional vulnerability, positions her as a creative voice worth watching.
Audrey’s journey is only beginning. But her foundation—grounded in education, collaboration, instrument mastery, and emotional truth—suggests she has the potential not just to rise, but to resonate, inspire, and leave a mark in the evolving landscape of music. When people speak of emerging voices, Audrey Mason is a name that deserves to be heard.
