Dr. Brian Hanegan is the Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. He directs the Northlanders Jazz Ensemble and jazz combos, teaches studio saxophone, jazz improvisation, woodwind methods, and the history of jazz, blues, and rock. In addition, he supervises the annual Jazz on the Upper Great Plains Festival.
He began his professional career as the saxophonist in a summer revue show at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Minneapolis, MN (2006-08). Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Hanegan worked for Carnival Cruise Lines as a multiple-woodwind artist in a seven-piece show orchestra. With Carnival, Hanegan performed nightly alongside musicians from all over the world and served as musical director of the Carnival Elation in 2012. Hanegan has performed with Jeff Coffin, Bob Mintzer, Scotty Barnhart, Byron Stripling, Mike Tomaro, John Raymond, Allen Vizzutti, Mike Tomaro, Adam Meckler, Arthur “LA” Buckner, Frankie Avalon, and The Temptations. In addition, he has opened for Cheap Trick, Sister Hazel, The Wallflowers, Heart, John Pardi, and Mitchell Tenpenny.
In 2017, Hanegan completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at North Dakota State University. At NDSU, he studied with Dr. Matthew Patnode and assisted in teaching the Gold Star Marching Band, Jazz Lab Band, jazz improvisation, saxophone quartets, and the saxophone studio. In addition, Hanegan graduated from the University of South Dakota, where he studied with Dr. Christopher Kocher and earned a Master of Music degree (with specialization) in saxophone performance and assisted in teaching jazz improvisation, Jazz Lab Band, and the saxophone studio. Hanegan also graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, where he studied with Frederic Hemke. During his time at NSU, he was a regional finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Competition (2007-08), NSU Concerto Competition winner (2008), and received an Award of Musical Distinction for outstanding musical achievement and contribution (2008).
Prior to his appointment at Augustana, Hanegan served on the faculties at Morningside College (Sioux City, IA) and the International Music Camp (North Dakota-Manitoba border). He has performed with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra and is actively performing across the Midwest with the Sioux Falls #1 local best band Goodroad, the Brian Hanegan Quartet, and several other jazz projects. Hanegan is an Aaron Drake Mouthpieces Performing Artist.
