Rate My Professor Von Hansen

Hansen’s scholarly pursuits center on percussion performance, composition, and multimedia artistry, fusing influences from hip-hop, jazz, rock, and electronic music with minimalism and experimental techniques using drums, percussion instruments, found objects, and computer processing. His compositions include "Breath" (electroacoustic ballet score, 2017), "Guitar Breath" for middle school band and electronics (grades 1-2, 2016-2017), "Fresh Frozen Plasma" for 12 percussionists (2015), "Conduit" for 8 percussionists and electronics (2015), "Shared Shadow" (interactive musical video game, 2015), and "Mortal Coil," which was selected for production at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and featured in an NPR interview. He received a Washburn University Creative and Scholarly Innovation Grant in 2015 for his composition "Duet for Multiple Percussion." Hansen has presented concerts and masterclasses at events including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Electronic Music Midwest, SEAMUS, Kansas and Oklahoma Days of Percussion, and the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy. His performances encompass principal roles with Wichita Grand Opera and Opera Kansas, substitute with Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and solo recitals featuring works for percussion and electronics. Under his guidance, the Washburn University Percussion Group secured first place in the collegiate ensemble category at the 2023 Kansas Percussive Arts Society competition. He teaches courses such as applied percussion, composition, small ensembles, and History of American Rock & Roll.