Angela Hanson

Job title

• Private Lesson Instructor in Violin
  Music and Performing Arts, College of Arts and Sciences

Highlight

Violin Performance, String Methods, Chamber Ensembles

Started at Bethel

2008

Education

• St. Olaf College - B.M. in Violin Performance, 2003
• University of Minnesota - M.M. in Violin Performance, 2005
• University of Minnesota - D.M.A. in Violin Performance, 2007

Biography

Angela Waterman Hanson enjoys being part of the string faculty at Bethel University, where she has been teaching since 2008. She is Professor of Violin also at the Free Lutheran Bible College and maintains a private teaching studio out of her home. An accomplished violinist, she actively performs with numerous ensembles. She has been a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra since 2005 and acted as concertmaster during the 2006-2007 season. She frequently performs with the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Hanson is also associate concertmaster of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of the Saint Paul Civic Symphony. She was a long-time member of the Minnesota Sinfonia and held the Garson Grandaughters’ Chair in the South Dakota Symphony from 2005-2010.

An avid chamber musician, Hanson is currently a member of the Sapphira Quartet and the Aster Ensemble and was a founding member of the Mill City String Quartet. Solo opportunities include performances with the Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Northern Symphony, the Dakota Valley Symphony and the Saint Paul Civic Symphony.

As a conductor, Dr. Hanson has led the Bethel Chamber Orchestra, The Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and the St. Paul Civic Symphony.

Originally from Wheaton, Illinois, Hanson holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from St. Olaf College, where she studied under Charles Gray. She completed her masters and doctorate at the University of Minnesota where she studied with internationally known pedagogue Sally O’Reilly.  She has performed locally as a freelancer with many groups including VocalEssence, Josh Groban, the Eagles, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, the James Sewell Ballet, the State of Georgia Ballet, the Minnesota Chorale, Led Zeppelin and others.

Courses taught

Private Violin Lessons, Chamber Ensembles, Violin/Viola Unit of String Methods

Professional organizations, committees, and boards

American String Teachers Association (ASTA)

Areas of expertise

Violin Performance, String Methods, Chamber Ensembles

Teaching specialty

Violin Lessons, Chamber Ensembles, Studio Class, Bethel Chamber Orchestra, Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra

Quote

"I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music" ~J.S.Bach