 DAWSON WHITE
Dawson is designing the future of classical music organizations and careers.
Through his work as an executive, career coach, educator, and violist, he brings systems-level thinking to both individual musicians and arts institutions - creating sustainable pathways where artistry, financial success, and personal fulfillment align.
As Executive Director of Musiqa, Houston's foremost contemporary music presenter, Dawson leads strategic planning and organizational development to advance interdisciplinary collaboration, commission underrepresented voices, and make contemporary music accessible to all.
His extensive performance career includes over a decade with the Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Orchestras, ongoing collaborations with the Houston Symphony, and a tenured position with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Orchestra.
As an educator, Dawson has successfully mentored students into Juilliard, CIM, Oberlin, Aspen, Tanglewood, the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, and others. His recent Artist Residency at Stephen F. Austin State University included a Career Design workshop, viola masterclass, concerto competition adjudication, and graduate quartet coaching - demonstrating his commitment to developing complete musicians who thrive in all aspects of their careers.
As Founder and CEO of Aspire Music, Dawson addresses a critical gap in traditional music education by integrating artist career design and self-management skills into his programs through the 3-Role Framework (Artist, Career Designer, Entrepreneur). These offerings help musicians understand both the 'why' behind their music creation and the 'how' of building sustainable careers where artistry, financial success, and personal fulfillment align.
Dawson's doctoral studies at the University of North Texas in Viola Performance and Music Business & Entrepreneurship, with a focus on systems design theory, further enhance his expertise. His dissertation examines sustainable music careers and organizations, bridging artistic excellence with strategic career design.
Dawson's innovative approach includes international collaborations, workshops and artist residencies with Rice University, CU Boulder and SFA, and research funded by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Founders Fund on marketing strategy for musicians.
Dawson is dedicated to designing a future where classical music careers and organizations thrive - ensuring they are as transformative as the music itself.
“You need to be a great MUSICIAN.
But most importantly, you need to be a great PERSON.”
Dawson White
Dawson's passion to help musicians unlock their full potential as artists and entrepreneurs has inspired him to create an online community - helping everyone reach their goals, find their "why", and take the stage not just as a performer, but as a brand.