B i o g r a p h y
Jason Hansen is a Twin Cities musician with a growing reputation for his composition and work in the theater. Having grown up in the cities, Jason is happy to call Minnesota his home and be a part of a thriving musical and theatrical community. Over the past decade, Jason has developed a career directing and performing music while continuing to write for a wide variety of musical styles and venues.
Music runs in Jason's family, and at the early age of three Jason's grandfather taught him how to play the guitar. Shortly after, Jason started teaching himself piano and involving himself in school theatrical productions while honing his musical abilities through composition and direction opportunities at Eagan High School and within the school district. Having preformed in choral and instrumental ensembles, he studied in the percussion studio at the University of Minnesota School of Music under Fernando Meza. He also studied with composer Alex Lubet, and African drumming specialist Sowah Mensah. As an student, Jason had the fortune to work alongside several area music directors and composers including Victor Zupanc (Children's Theater Company), Denise Prosek (Theater Latté Da), Andrew Cooke (Guthrie Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theater), Andre Pluess (Lookingglass Theater, Chicago) and a group of incredible directors.
Jason has held positions of music director, composer, orchestrator, educator, and/or performer for over 70 productions throughout the Twin Cities. His work has been heard at the Children’s Theatre Company, Theater Latté Da, Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Ten Thousand Things, History Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Jungle Theater, Theater Mu, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Northern Sky Theater, Artistry, Illusion Theater, TigerLion Arts, 7th House Theater, The Catalysts, Open Eye Figure Theater, University of Minnesota, UofM Centennial Showboat, MN Fringe Festival, and with the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Spotlight program.
Jason has helped direct and create over 10 world premiers in the past three years and has provided orchestrations for new works in the Twin Cities and regional theaters throughout the country.
Jason is also the Associate and Musical Director for Alive & Kickin, the Twin Cities senior rock ensemble; acts as accompanist and music director for several area cabarets and theatrical events; and is also heavily involved in area schools and community organizations, directing and arranging music for theater, bands and choirs. In 2018, he won the 2018 MN Theater Award for Best Performative Direction.
As a composer and arranger developing new music for choir, cabaret, and theater, his works can be found with both Hal Leonard and Alfred Music. Jason is developing new music for choir, band and theater and works with the songwriting collaborative Prosody to create new works for cabaret. Jason is happy to work with many talented friends and colleagues who make up the Twin Cities music and theater community. He lives in Saint Paul with his wonderful wife Alise.
In addition, Jason is heavily involved with community organizations and Twin Cities area school districts. Jason is a commissioned composer and arranger developing new music for choir, cabaret, and theater and his works can be found with both Hal Leonard and Alfred Music. He lives in Saint Paul with his wife and daughter.
