The music of composer and multi-instrumentalist Dan VanHassel’s (b. 1981) music has been described as “energizing” (Wall Street Journal), “a refreshing direction” (I Care If You Listen.com), and “an imaginative and rewarding soundscape” (San Francisco Classical Voice). His works create a uniquely evocative sound world drawing from a background in rock, Indonesian gamelan, free improvisation, and classical music.

He’s received grants from Chamber Music America, The Barlow Endowment, The Johnstone Fund for New Music, The Boston Foundation, and New Music USA, with additional honors and awards from ASCAP, New England Conservatory, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, the Guerrilla Composers Guild, and the Kalamazoo New Music Project. His music can be heard on releases from New Focus Recordings, Soundset, Perishable, and Thinking OutLoud labels.

Also active as a concert producer and electric guitarist, Dan currently leads the Boston-based contemporary quartet Hinge. He was also a founding member of contemporary chamber ensemble Wild Rumpus in San Francisco and artistic director through 2016, cited as a “fresh young ensemble” (Wall Street Journal) and “a showcase of virtuosity and imagination” (San Francisco Classical Voice).

Currently residing in Boston, Dan holds degrees from UC Berkeley, New England Conservatory, and Carnegie Mellon University. He has taught composition and electronic music at MIT, Brandeis University, Connecticut College, Clark University, and UC Berkeley, and is currently on faculty at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

“the effect was energizing” (Ghost in the Machine) - Allan Kozinn, The Wall Street Journal

“a refreshing direction” - Christian Kriegeskotte, I Care If You Listen

Website

Hinge Quartet (Guitarist/Composer)

Catalog

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