Women to Watch at UA Little Rock: Dr. Lorissa Mason
In celebration of Women’s History Month, UA Little Rock is highlighting women who are making a difference at the university and in the community.
The next Woman to Watch at UA Little Rock is Dr. Lorissa Mason. Mason is an assistant professor and the Director of Choral Activities for the Music Program, which is housed in the School of Literary and Performing Arts. Both her background, experience in the music community, and her collaborative nature have brought a number of innovations to the school.
Tell us about yourself and your background.
My name is Lorissa Mason. I am married to Brady Mason, who is a nurse, and we have one son, Silas, age 12. I grew up in a small town near Lubbock, Texas. Upon graduating high school, I attended Texas Tech University. I had wonderful instructors and mentors as a student in Texas Tech’s School of Music. I graduated with my undergraduate degree and immediately began my Master of Music in Conducting with Dr. John Dickson and Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman. Those two years opened a world of possibilities for me.
After completing my master’s degree, I taught choir in the public schools in west Texas for thirteen years. It was during that time that I met my husband and had my son. In 2016, we moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where I studied with Dr. Robert Bode and completed my doctoral work at the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
What is your current position and professional duties at UA Little Rock?
I am the Director of Choral Activities at UA Little Rock. I direct the choral ensembles, and I teach Conducting and Music Education courses. As part of my administrative duties, I program the performance season for the choirs, and I oversee the day-to-day activities within the voice area of our music program.
What brought you to UA Little Rock?
Upon graduating from the Conservatory, this position was one of several I interviewed for. Not only was I looking for a place where I could grow, but also a place where my entire family could thrive. This position offered the opportunity to teach all the material I have always wanted to teach, and the city itself offered opportunities for my entire family.
What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at UA Little Rock?
The biggest project on the horizon is a Conducting Residency in Austria in June of 2026. I have been invited as a headlining conductor with a festival choir and the Symphonisches Orchester Wien, performing Marianna Martines’s “Dixit Dominus.” Students from all over the country, including students from UA Little Rock, will have the opportunity to participate in this event, and we will sing concerts in Vienna and Salzburg.
Another big event happening in March is the national conference for the American Choral Directors Association in Dallas. We are planning for 18 students to travel to this conference, where they will represent UA Little Rock as they participate in sessions and round tables in the field of choral music education.
There have also been a number of events in the past few years that are worth noting. The Concert Choir traveled to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall in the summer of 2022. Since then, various students have traveled to sing in London at Cadogan Hall in 2023 and again to New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2024.
What woman has inspired you the most and why?
It is difficult to narrow it to only one. I would have to begin with my mother. She taught me to be strong and independent and smart. It never occurred to her to tell me I might not achieve something I had my sights set on. She quietly provided opportunities to set me up for success in everything I ever did. My mom also taught me how to deal with people. She is quite introverted herself, but she is an observer of people and through those observations, she was able to teach me about human nature and how to read people.
When it comes to mentors in my profession, there are two very important women who had astounding impact on my path. Those women are Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman and Robin Dent. I did my student teaching internship with Robin Dent at Mackenzie Middle School in Lubbock, Texas. I learned an unimaginable amount about what it is to teach from her—from watching her and from her own unwavering belief in me. I always felt her faith in me, and I have always known I could reach out to her. It came full circle when I took this job at UA Little Rock. Robin is originally from Little Rock, and she had wonderful insight for us as we began planning our move. She even helped us find a realtor when we were searching for a house!
Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman was at Texas Tech when I studied there, and even after she took a position elsewhere, I stayed in touch with her and frequently asked her questions about conducting workshops and good graduate school programs. She was always patient with my questions and my search for the “right place for me.” Her advice was always exactly what I needed as I found my way in this field. It was no coincidence that when I finally decided to take the plunge and audition for DMA programs, both of these mentors recommended I study with Dr. Robert Bode at the UMKC Conservatory. It is a magical thing when all the pieces come together in life, and the impact all these wonderful people have had on my life and career is certainly an example of such magic.
What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned in your career?
I have learned so many lessons… For me, the most important lesson I’ve learned (and one I still sometimes must remind myself about) is that I cannot expect every person I encounter to work at the same pace or with the same processes that I do. To let people work in their own way is the true heart of collaboration, particularly in the arts. So, I have learned to give people enough time to process and even enjoy that process. Part of that lesson is also that people won’t always be happy with me, but it is important to nevertheless push for excellence. And in that push, we are back to the lesson of giving people time. Time to process, time to create, time to come around to the idea of possibilities, and time to learn their own lessons along the way.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Be yourself, but make sure “yourself” is a person who operates with kindness always. Kindness does not make you weak. You can be kind and stand your ground. You can be kind and be direct.
Seek joy. It is all around us. Seek joy in the people you work with, in the work you have chosen as your career, in your family and friend circles, in solitude, in noise and in quiet.
Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.
Oh goodness… which of my quirky things do I want to share here? Once upon a time, I was a computer programmer. I did not begin as a music major, but a Management Information Systems major in the College of Business. But I eventually realized I couldn’t “not do” music, and I made the change to study Music Education.
What is your favorite quote and why?
“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.” – Ludwig van Beethoven
The sentiment of Beethoven’s quote is the very reason I ended up becoming a conductor. The treasures in a score of music are endless, and when I began down this path, I found myself almost obsessively digging into the music I studied to find those treasures. That feeling is still as fresh today as it was years ago when I was first learning how to study a score. When I find those treasures, I’m almost giddy to share them with other musicians who also find it as fascinating as I do. Music is transcending, and Beethoven’s quote captures that perfectly.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
UA Little Rock is a wonderful community in which to work, and I am happy my family and I landed here.