Dr. Robert Hansen, D.M.A
Regents Professor of Music
Email: flast@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2843
Professional Profile
Hansen has a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, a Master of Music from Boston University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. He has done post-graduate study at Cambridge University in England. Hansen made his professional singing debut with the Boston Summer Opera Theatre. He has made numerous concert appearances in New England, the Midwest, and the Southwest, and as soloist with the Amarillo Symphony, the Randel Chamber Orchestra and Amarillo Opera. Hansen performs regularly with Chamber Music Amarillo and the Amarilo Little Theatre. Hansen was named a Regents Professor of the Texas A&M University System in December, 2009. He was awarded WTAMU's Teaching Excellence Award in 2005, the Faculty Excellence Award from the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts in 2008 and Outstanding Research and Creative Achievement Award in 2009.
Teaching and Related Service
Hansen joined the WTAMU faculty in 1987 and now serves as the coordinator of the vocal/choral division of the Department of Music. In addition to studio voice lessons, he teaches vocal pedagogy, song literature, foreign language diction and techniques for the singing actor. He also acts as musical director for Branding Iron Theatre musical productions. He is a Past President of the WTAMU Faculty Senate. He is the Executive Director of the National Opera Association, is a member of the Voice Foundation, a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and a member Opera America's Singer Training Forum.
Research and Creative Activity
Hansen maintains an active performing schedule in various vocal genres, including opera. oratorio, recital and musical theatre. He directs the University's Piehl-Schaeffer Vocal Lab, a facility that explores vocal acoustics and uses technology to help singers achieve a more complete understanding of the human voice and singing. Hansen has published articles and reviews in the Journal of Singing, the Opera Journal, the Choral Journal, the College Music Society, and the Journal of Voice.
Personal Sketch
Hansen lives in Amarillo in a home that is listed on the National Historic Register and the Texas Historical Society. He has served on the boards of local arts organizations and is an active participant in and supporter of the arts. Favorite pastimes include his family, swimming, cooking, and Labs Sam and Buddy, and Vizsla Max.