Josef Hanson

Dr. Josef Hanson is Associate Professor of Music Education, Assistant Director for Graduate Studies, and Music Education Area Coordinator in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis. Hanson teaches courses in instrumental music, research methods, arts entrepreneurship, and preparing new music faculty. In demand as a presenter and clinician, he is a frequent contributor at a wide range of conferences nationally and internationally. He has led ensembles in performance at the Kennedy Center and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and his writing is featured in a variety of leading periodicals. In 2021, he received the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music’s Faculty Exceptional Teaching Award in recognition of his work with students.

Previously, Hanson taught music in Maryland public schools and spent 17 years at the University of Rochester and University of Massachusetts Boston in various faculty, administrative, and advisory roles. From 2016-2020, he served as President of the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education. He continues to serve as an editorial board member and reviewer for various scholarly journals, including Music Educators Journal, Update, Contributions to Music Education, College Music Symposium, and the Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education. Hanson is a graduate of Towson University (B.S.) and the Eastman School of Music (M.A./Ph.D.), where he received the Donald J. Shetler Prize for Excellence in Music Education, Eastman’s highest honor for music educators.