Shelby Mass is a baroque violinist and scholar currently studying with Stanley Ritchie at the Jacobs School of Music’s Historical Performance Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. Born in Spring Valley, Ohio, Shelby began playing the violin at age 4, studying the suzuki method. She was principal second violin of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2011-2012, and concertmaster from 2012-2013. She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Miami University, where she served as principal second violin from 2014-2015 and concertmaster from 2015-2016 and was a member of the orchestra board. At Miami University she also minored in Italian and completed multiple independent studies in conducting and performance practice. Shelby was awarded multiple grants for independent research projects and upon graduation was given the title of “Outstanding Music Scholar.” In 2016 Shelby was the recipient of Catacoustic Consort Cincinnati’s Early Music Grant, and was invited to be a featured performer at the Cincinnati Early Music Festival. Shelby has performed at notable venues in the United States and Europe, and has studied with Harvey Thurmer, Cynthia Roberts, Erich Hobarth, and Stanley Ritchie.