Shawn is the son of the late "The New Yorker" editor William Shawn and the brother of the actor and playwright Wallace Shawn. Shawn received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, and a masters from Columbia University. He also studied with the French composer and conductor Nadia Boulanger. (Wikipedia) Shawn currently teaches at Bennington College. He spoke via Skype with WGXC intern Pierce Huff in early February 2015.