A native of Binghamton, NY, Mason Daffinee graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ithaca College in 2002. His musical interests began early, including performance with local Spectrum Drum and Bugle Corps during his high school years and performance with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois during college. As a member of the Phantom Regiment contra line he won the 2002 Tuba Solo and Ensemble Contest Gold Medal and was selected as member of the year.

After college Mason toured North America and Japan for one year with the Tony Award-Winning Broadway show Blast! On Tour. After leaving the tour in 2003 he taught for two years in Vestal, NY. While in Vestal, Mason’s teaching responsibilities included middle school band, beginner band, high school marching band, and two winterguards. In 2005-2006 Vestal Middle School Teacher of the year.