Musicians-in-Residence

For our 2020 Dillon Moran Musician in Residence program, New York-based singer-songwriter Mackenzie Shivers joined us for two days of performances and workshops for our Middle and Upper School students with a final show open to Severn families and friends on Friday evening. From Irish music with Chamber Ensemble and vocal training for our choral groups to discussion sessions about songwriting, Mackenzie gave our students a peek into the life of a professional musician, offering practical advice to let their creativity shine.

Mackenzie Shivers is a New York-based singer-songwriter known for her timeless voice and creative blend of classical, Celtic, and southern styles. She wows audiences with complex instrumental arrangements accompanied by otherworldly vocal melodies. During her performances at Severn, she moved seamlessly from rhythmic compositions on the baby grand piano to the Nord synth, where she looped organ and electric piano tones to create a robust, room-filling sound. Her latest album, "The Unkindness," demonstrates the many layers of her talents both as a performer and producer. As she said to our students during a Q&A session, “I love playing on stage, but the studio is where I can get the most creative and push the limits of what song can be.”

The Dillon Moran Musician in Residence program was created in the Fall of 2012 to commemorate the passion, exuberance and solid musicianship exemplified by Dillon Moran, Severn School Class of 2013. Dillon’s life was tragically cut short in the fall of 2011 as the result of an accident at his home in Davidsonville, Maryland.

Our Lower School hosted Kevin Martin of Rockcreek Steel Drums for our 3rd Elizabeth Wegner Musician in Residence program. Mr. Martin gave a presentation on the history and musical traditions of Trinidad followed by a week-long workshop for students to practice and perform steel drum music for our community. Chesapeake Campus buzzed with melodic, percussive energy for a week of learning, performing and fun!

The Elizabeth Wegner Memorial Fund was created to continue Mrs. Wegner’s legacy by providing unique musical opportunities for our Lower School students. Mrs. Wegner taught music in our community for 14 years before her passing in 2014. She sought to provide a nurturing setting in which children of any age can joyfully develop their own talents in making, composing and performing music.