Dr. Mary Mazurek

Mary Mazurek, PhD is a GRAMMY-nominated recording engineer, interdisciplinary artist, educator, and author of Aesthetic Noise: The Philosophy of Intentional Listening (Routledge, 2025). She received a GRAMMY nomination from The Recording Academy at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Engineered Album, Classical for Liquid Melancholy: Clarinet Music of James Stephenson. Her engineering work is regularly broadcast on WFMT Radio and WFMT.com, reaching audiences across the United States and internationally through the European Broadcasting Union.

A leading advocate for women in audio—who represent less than 5% of the recording engineering field—Dr. Mazurek serves as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairperson for the Audio Engineering Society. She was inducted into the Resonator Hall of Fame for her audio engineering and advocacy work by the organization We Are Moving the Needle. She is a voting member of The Recording Academy and Latin Academy, and a past governor and task force chair. 

Dr. Mazurek began her professional career at Universal Recording in Chicago in 1991. Her credits include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet, Michael Feinstein, Howard Levy, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the New York Philharmonic. Her recordings appear on labels including Cedille, Naxos, Delmark, MSR, and Sounds True.

In parallel with her audio career, Dr. Mazurek is an interdisciplinary artist whose sound- and image-based work has been exhibited in Chicago, New York, Mexico, and Berlin. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Media from Columbia College Chicago and a PhD in Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts. Her research examines noise, perception, and intentional listening in contemporary aesthetic practice.

Website: marymazurek.com

Publications
Aesthetic Noise: The Philosophy of Intentional Listening (2025) Routledge.

“Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink: An Introduction to Noise in Contemporary Art and Music” (2022) AES

“Less Than 5% of Audio Engineers are Women: Here’s My Story” (2018) WFMT.com

Recordings
Expanding the Choral Canon Bella Voce – Andrew Lewis Artistic Director; Liza Calisesi Maidens, conductor (2024) Centaur

Symphony No.3, “Visions” James M. Stephenson, composer; Lake Forest Symphony; Vladimir Kulenovic, conductor (2022) Çedille

Liquid Melancholy – Clarinet Music of James M. Stephenson John Bruce Yeh, Lake Forest Symphony; Vladimir Kulenovic, conductor; Chicago Pro Musica; Alex Klein, Patric Godon (2019) Çedille

Radio Broadcasts & Livestreams
2024 Ravinia Festival Opening Night: Celebration of Americana The Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor; Michelle Cann, Piano (2024) WFMT Radio and CSO.org

Rush Hour Concerts: Kaia String Quartet (2025) Classical Music Chicago, live from St. James Cathedral, Chicago

Rush Hour Concerts: CSO Brass Quintet (2024) Classical Music Chicago, live from St. James Cathedral, Chicago

Podcasts
Toastmasters: ORC Orator’s Podcast – Vocal Variety with Cate Carney & Host Mary Mazurek (2026)

Working Class Audio #512 with Dr. Mary Mazurek (2024)

Modern Producer Secrets: Equalizing the Industry: Empowering Women in Audio (with Mary Mazurek) (2024)

Master Your Mix: Ep 97 Mary Mazurek – Mixing Through Mic Placement (2022)

Awards
Resonator Hall of Fame Inductee, We Are Moving the Needle (2026)

Chicago DCASE Individual Artist Grant (2025)

Communicator Award of Distinction Category: Live Radio Broadcast Audio Producer, “The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Live from Ravinia” (2025)

Communicator Award of Excellence Category: Audio Production, “WFMT: Apollo’s Fire Road to Dublin” (2024)

Communicator Award of Excellence Category: Live Radio Broadcast Audio Producer, “The Chicago Symphony Orchestra from Ravinia, Marin Alsop, conductor; Stewart Goodyear, Piano” (2023)

Communicator Award of Excellence Category: Sound Editing, “Rancho La Puerta Tips for the Ranch” Podcast (2022)

GRAMMY Nomination Best Engineered Album Classical, Liquid Melancholy Clarinet Music of James M. Stephenson (2019)