Jane Hanson

Jane Hanson

Jane Hanson Productions

Holyoke, MA





jane@proficientmusician.com

Singer, Musical Director/Producer, Instructor, Conductor

Jane Hanson, Proficient Musician founder and director, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education and a minor in Piano Accompaniment from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). While at CCM, Ms. Hanson was the conductor in residence and a vocalist at the Music '97 and Music '98 international composition festivals, where she collaborated with and performed premiers of works by composers Augusta Read-Thomas, Benedict Weisser, Ruben Salazar, and others. She was also featured in the CCM Grandin Festival, a solo voice festival devoted to vocal literature with instrumental accompaniment (vocal chamber music).

From 1999-2001 Ms. Hanson served on the faculty of the UMass Amherst music department where she taught conducting and aural skills. In 2001 she left UMass and founded The Proficient Musician, a company that provides skills-based professional development opportunities to music educators and performers. Currently, Ms. Hanson has flourishing voice studios at the Northampton Community Music Center, the Williston Northampton School, and through her company. She also serves as music director of the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton (P.A.C.E.). Ms. Hanson directs two summer programs for teens: the P.A.C.E. Summer Musical Theater Intensive and the Proficient Musician Summer Vocal Music Academy, as well as a solo vocal performance class for teens during the school year. In 2004, she was appointed music director of the Keene Chorale, an eighty-voice community choir in Keene, New Hampshire.

In the fall of 2006, Ms. Hanson conducted and music directed the new opera "The Captivation of Eunice Williams" at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. She also served as assistant conductor and chorus master for Commonwealth Opera's production of "La Boheme."

Ms. Hanson studied voice and vocal pedagogy for thirteen years with the world-renowned (late) Dr. Oren Brown. Ms. Hanson has been a featured soloist with The Keene Chorale, Commonwealth Opera, The Tuesday Morning Music Club of Springfield, the Chamber Music Series at Wistariahurst Museum, as well as through her own concert series.

Jane Hanson, Performing Artist, is a captivating mezzo-soprano soloist, renowned conductor, director and producer. With a voice of incredible depth, insight and pathos, her solo recitals and concerts are known to evoke powerful emotions of laughter to tears from the audience. She is right at home in a wide variety of genres, but specializes in premiering contemporary repertoire and helping composers bring their new work to life. Ms. Hanson's expert musicianship and technique as a conductor and director enable her to provide strong, positive leadership for both singers and instrumentalists, inviting and encouraging each to perform at a high level of excellence to achieve critical success. As a musical director and producer, Ms. Hanson encourages her singers with fun and fury!