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Holly McMahon describes music as her first love. When she chose CU Boulder, it was important to her to study something that she enjoyed—and she has.

McMahon—set to graduate next month with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Certificate in Music Technology—is the College of Music’s 2025-26 recipient of a�� 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.

“[Socolofsky] has been a huge advocate for me,” McMahon says. “That’s a really beautiful thing. One day, when I have the influence to do so, I’d like to lift others up in a similar fashion, and advocate for other young composers and artists.”

As a student here, McMahon was involved in the��CU Boulder Early Music Ensemble as well as our chamber groups and��world music ensembles. “As a composer, being in the world music ensembles was such a blessing, diversifying the types of music I was exposed to,” she says. She also participated in our Persevering Legacy events including��this spring’s concert, performing excerpts from a ballet she composed, “The Snow Queen.”��

When McMahon reflects on her time at CU Boulder, she says she’s learned a lot about music—and about herself. “I’ve really come into myself as a person, not as a productivity machine,” she shares. “Now, so much of my worth comes from things that don’t have to do with what I’ve produced, and more just who I am and what I’ve learned about myself.����

“I think that’s so important in my trajectory as a composer because it allows me to approach music in a way where I’m not projecting my insecurities onto it. It’s just me and I think that’s where the best music that I’ve written has come from.”

This fall, McMahon will pursue a master’s degree in composition at the University of Michigan: “I’m very, very excited about it!”

Congratulations to McMahon and to��all��of our 2025-26 graduates!

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