Background, professional training and performance history
Hannah’s trumpet playing has given her the opportunity to travel the world, be a member of top-tier ensembles, and make friends for life. Originally from Thibodaux, Louisiana, she began playing trumpet in her school band in fifth grade. She attended LSU and was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and the LSU Tiger Band. Being section leader of a 73-piece trumpet section in Tiger Band wasn’t easy, but performing across the country with her friends was worth all of the work. Hannah dedicated her summers marching drum and bugle corps, and was a member of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps based in Concord, CA for two years. In 2015, the Blue Devils were named World Champions at the Drum Corps International World Championship competition in Indianapolis.
After graduating with her degree in Music Education in 2017, Hannah moved to Fort Worth, TX to be the Assistant Band Director at Loflin Middle School. Her roles included teaching beginner trumpet, trombone, and horn, directing the Concert Band, running high school band sectionals and teaching private lessons, as well as being a visual and brass technician with the Joshua High School marching band. Under her direction, the Concert Band received excellent ratings on stage and a superior rating in sight reading at Texas UIL in 2019.
Through her experiences making music and teaching music, Hannah has learned that music-making should be fun and personalized for each individual student. For her, this means practicing trumpet might also involving some singing, playing piano or ukulele, and dancing.
Hannah is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Musicology at the University of Oregon, and she is projected to graduate in Spring 2021. She lives in Springfield with her partner and two cats.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
"I have found that learning music and playing your instrument is so much more fun when you love what you’re playing. I am a huge advocate for ear-training and learning music by ear, and I will also make sure students have the tools to read music successfully. Besides playing their instrument, I want to nurture in students a broader love and appreciation for music. This might involve listening to new music, arranging music you love, or writing something original. I align my goals with those of my students, keeping them challenged enough to be engaged while still having fun and finding success. Above all, I want my students to be excited to pick up their instrument, excited to come to lessons, and to develop a life-long love for music."
Subjects taught
Hannah teaches beginner to mid-level trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, and music theory. She also teaches advanced trumpet. All ages welcome.