When Dawn Kenney walked into a classroom at Mount Wachusett Community College, she wasn’t your typical student—and that’s exactly what made the experience so powerful.
A longtime musician and songwriter, Kenney spent more than 30 years running a real estate appraisal company while staying deeply connected to music. After retiring and relocating from Waltham to Central Massachusetts, she found herself at a crossroads: more time, a lifelong passion, and a desire to grow.
“I guess I’m just an overachiever,” Kenney said with a laugh. “I couldn’t just sit still—I had to keep learning.”
Returning to a Lifelong Passion
Kenney’s connection to music dates back decades. She worked in live sound for local bands in the 80s and enjoyed songwriting but put her passion for music aside to start her career in real estate. Once her kids were older, she pulled the guitar case out from under the bed and got back to it.
“I just needed to do it, it had been too long,” she shared. “Music was an itch that just had to be scratched. I just dug in and said, ‘I’m going to do this seriously now.’”
She built a successful second career writing music and collaborating with artists and studios in Nashville. An award-winning artist and hit songwriter with multiple Top Tens and a #1 song to her credit, her work is rooted in Country, Americana, and Bluegrass traditions and she is known for honest, personal, and universal songs.
She created a small home recording studio where she would write and record demos to send to her publisher or to artists. Her technical audio knowledge was self-taught, and it had served her well, but she had always wished it could be better. Then she discovered MWCC’s audio engineering program.
“I saw the free community college opportunity and thought, I wonder if there are any audio programs nearby,” she said. “And there it was—one of the best programs in New England, right down the street.”
After attending an open house and seeing the professional-grade equipment firsthand, she enrolled.
A Classroom Without Barriers
At 67, Kenney describes herself as often “the oldest person in the room,” but she quickly found that age was no obstacle.
“The environment is so positive and inclusive,” she said. “It was easy to connect with everyone. The younger students weren’t uncomfortable, and honestly, it’s been fun—it keeps me current.”
She credits MWCC faculty with creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages collaboration and connection from the very first semester.
“There are systems in place to support you,” she said. “It’s not just something they say—you really feel it.”
Learning at a New Level
For Kenney, returning to school meant more than just gaining new skills, it meant thinking in new ways.
“I feel like it engaged a different part of my brain,” she said. “It kind of kickstarted things again.”
She set clear goals for herself, including becoming proficient in Pro Tools and gaining confidence navigating professional recording environments. Through the program, she exceeded those goals.
Now, when she works in studios in Nashville, she brings a new level of expertise.
“I can walk into a room I’ve never seen before and know how to find my way around,” she said. “I can speak the language, it’s changed how I’m perceived in the industry.”
Balancing Life and Learning
Like many MWCC students, Kenney balanced her coursework with real-life responsibilities, including supporting her mother through a serious illness.
“That impacted how many classes I could take,” she said. “But that’s the reality for a lot of students, life doesn’t stop.”
Despite the challenges, she stayed committed, adjusting her pace and continuing forward.
Giving Back Through Music
As she nears completion of her degree, Kenney is already looking ahead.
“One of the things I really want to do is produce younger artists and help them,” she said. “Now I have the skills to do that.”
Her goal is not just to continue her own musical journey, but to support the next generation – bridging experience with new talent.
A Message to Future Students
For anyone considering going back to school, Kenney has simple advice: “Don’t hesitate,” she said. “It’s a very welcoming environment, and there are people here who genuinely want you to succeed.”
For Kenney, the experience has been transformative—personally, professionally, and creatively, “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again,” she said. “It’s been a great experience.”
You can learn more about Kenney’s work on her website at dawnkenney.com.