Maura Shawn Scanlin

Born in Boone NC, Maura Shawn Scanlin currently makes her home in Arlington, MA.  In May 2019, she completed her Masters Degree in Violin Performance at the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Ani Kavafian.  Previously, Maura studied violin with Lucy Chapman while completing her Bachelors Degree at the New England Conservatory. Maura’s classical collaborations with various ensembles have led her to the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition, the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, and the Banff Chamber Music Residency.  Maura has studied with renowned chamber musicians such as the Borromeo String Quartet, the Brentano String Quartet, Kim Kashkashian, Roger Tapping. She is currently a member of the newly formed Boston-based Rasa String Quartet.

In addition to classical music, Maura also enjoys performing and collaborating with other musicians in a variety of non-classical styles ranging from traditional folk to contemporary improvisatory music. Particularly well-versed in Scottish and Irish traditional fiddle music, Maura has had the opportunity to compete in and has won the world’s premiere traditional Scottish fiddling competitions. She is a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion, and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship in Perthshire, Scotland.  Maura is a member of several bands based in the greater Boston area.  She performs and tours regularly with five-piece contemporary folk band Pumpkin Bread and Irish duo project Rakish.  She is also a member of the contemporary Scottish outfit the Bywater Band.

Maura has performed across North America and the United Kingdom, appearing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Blair Castle, Shalin-Liu Performance Center, and The Sinclair. She has performed at music festivals including Merlefest, KVMR Celtic Festival, Boston Celtic Music Festival, Bellingham Irish Festival, New Hampshire Highland Games, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Rockport Celtic Festival, and Folk Alliance International.

Maura teaches privately throughout the year, and can be found at various music camps including Boston States Fiddle Camp, Hanneke Cassel’s Pure Dead Fiddle Weekend, Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Heartbeat Music Project, and Up With Music’s Summer Strings. Through collaborations, performances, and teaching, Maura hopes to cultivate appreciation for live acoustic music of all styles.

Maura plays a German violin made by Erst Heinrich Roth in 1923.