Doris Mason grew up in New Glasgow with a large musical family; her father played the fiddle and she and her sisters would take turns accompanying him on the piano.  Doris moved to Halifax after she finished school where she played part-time in a band while working.  Shortly thereafter, music became something she did full-time and her repertoire included blues, jazz, and boogie woogie.  Doris has been arranging music for over 15 years and has had her compositions performed by Symphony Nova Scotia.  Her song “When Emma Sings”, a part of the The Reason For Hope compilation CD, was written as a birthday present for Emma Lee Stewart in November 2010.  This song celebrates her love of life, positivity, and spirituality.  The vocal arrangement at the end of the song is symbolic of all of the people who have been touched by Emma Lee's friendship, strength, and of course - voice.