Brad Mahon has appeared throughout Portugal, the United States, and across Canada, as a performer, educator, and scholar.
As a performer, recording artist, and past prize-winner in the Pacific Northwest Guitar Competition, Brad Mahon has been described as “an outstanding classical guitarist” ( 20th Century Guitar magazine, New York) and “a very accomplished performer” (CBC Radio, Canada), while his concert performances have been reviewed as “Impressive” ( Calgary Herald ) and “a delightful musical night and great spectacle for the audience” ( Baiao Noticia , Portugal). His diverse recording portfolio — comprising commercial CD releases as well as made-for-radio broadcasts — includes the solo efforts, Six Strings (2005) and Classic Melodies (2006), as well as a collaboration appearing on the Land's End Chamber Ensemble CD that won the 2006 Western Canadian Music Award for Best Classical Recording (“the full five stars” – Sound Advice ). Brad's current focus, the Oberon Guitar Trio (with Murray Visscher and Ralph Maier), released their debut CD, Music of Our Time in January 2010. The ensemble has been described as: “Three times the fun” ( Castlegar News , Castlegar, BC) and "The music was mellow, attractive and down right interesting...an afternoon of very enjoyable music...an intimate presentation..." ( Daily Bulletin , Cranbrook, BC).
As a musicologist, Brad Mahon's research interests include topics related to the guitar—its history, performance practice, pedagogy, and cultural impression. His work has been presented at conferences hosted by the Canadian University Music Society, the American Musicological Society, and the International Guitar Symposium. Brad's current focus is a reworking of his 2007 dissertation for commercial publication. The dissertation examines the institutionalization of the guitar from many interdisciplinary perspectives.
As an educator, Brad Mahon has been a member of the music faculty at Mount Royal University since 1997 where he instructs classical guitar and coaches chamber music. A sought after teacher, he is also a seasonal/part-time instructor at four other post-secondary schools, and he is an examiner with Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. His private students have received scholarships, awards, and prizes at local, provincial, and national music festival competitions and many have earned Silver Medals for excellence in Royal Conservatory of Music examinations. Former students have been accepted into post-secondary music programs in the United States and across Canada.
As an adjudicator, Brad Mahon is a popular, habitual judge at music festivals across Canada. The 2010 season will see him adjudicating in Penticton , BC, Lethbridge, AB, Victoria, BC, and Red Deer, AB.
As an administrator, Brad Mahon has coordinated the guitar program for Mount Royal University's esteemed Academy of Music for the past five years. Additionally, he was appointed Coordinator of Strings for General Programs in June 2008 and has chaired the committee responsible for selecting guitar repertoire for the Alberta Provincial Music Festival Syllabus since 2002.
Brad Mahon's formal education is highlighted by a Doctorate in Musicology from the University of Calgary completed under the mentorship of Dr. Victor Coelho.