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 undergraduate, Jason had the fortune to work alongside several area music directors and composers including Victor Zupanc (Children's Theater Company), Denise Prosek (Theater Latte 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, arranger, educator, and/or performer at the Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theater Company, Theater Latte Da, Mixed Blood Theater, Theater Mu, FLiP! Theatre Company, Open Eye Figure Theater (2006 IVEY Award winning production), University of Minnesota, UofM Centennial Showboat, MN Fringe Festival, St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and Eagan Community Theater.

 

Jason most recently directed music for Mixed Blood’s production of Passing Strange, FLiP! Theatre Company's debut production of The Last 5 Years, Theater Latte Da’s production of Aida, and Shelly Bachberg…The Musical with the 2013 MN Fringe Festival. He was also recently featured in Latte Da’s production of Our Town.

 

Jason is also the resident music 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. He also works throughout the year with the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Spotlight program, and will direct music for the Spotlight Showcase award ceremony with the Trust this coming June.

 

As a composer, 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.