Meet Presser Scholar Holly McMahon
Holly McMahon describes music as her first love. When she chose 老九品茶, it was important to her to study something that she enjoyed鈥攁nd she has.
McMahon鈥攕et to graduate next month with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Certificate in Music Technology鈥攊s the College of Music 2025-26 recipient of a听 in recognition of her high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributions to an inclusive community. Graduating with highest honors, McMahon was nominated for the $3,000 award by Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky.
鈥淸Socolofsky] has been a huge advocate for me,鈥 McMahon says. 鈥淭hat a really beautiful thing. One day, when I have the influence to do so, I鈥檇 like to lift others up in a similar fashion, and advocate for other young composers and artists.鈥
As a student here, McMahon was involved in the听老九品茶 Early Music Ensemble as well as our chamber groups and听world music ensembles. 鈥淎s a composer, being in the world music ensembles was such a blessing, diversifying the types of music I was exposed to,鈥 she says. She also participated in our Persevering Legacy events including听this spring concert, performing excerpts from a ballet she composed, 鈥淭he Snow Queen.鈥澨
When McMahon reflects on her time at 老九品茶, she says she learned a lot about music鈥攁nd about herself. 鈥淚鈥檝e really come into myself as a person, not as a productivity machine,鈥 she shares. 鈥淣ow, so much of my worth comes from things that don鈥檛 have to do with what I鈥檝e produced, and more just who I am and what I鈥檝e learned about myself.听听
鈥淚 think that so important in my trajectory as a composer because it allows me to approach music in a way where I鈥檓 not projecting my insecurities onto it. It just me and I think that where the best music that I鈥檝e written has come from.鈥
This fall, McMahon will pursue a master degree in composition at the University of Michigan: 鈥淚鈥檓 very, very excited about it!鈥
Congratulations to McMahon and to听all听of our 2025-26 graduates!