We recently connected with Hannah Jensen and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hannah with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Growing up, my brother and I spent a lot of our time at work with our parents. We spent days at the pharmacy with our mom, class periods and music rehearsals at the university with our dad, and tagged along to evening meetings, concerts, and gatherings. So often, we were watching them work, solve problems, and interact with a variety of people. I think observing them making decisions, leading others, and watching them thrive as both employees and parents ingrained a work ethic in me almost subconsciously. I am thankful for the habits they instilled in me when it comes to working hard, and at the same time, I am thankful that they modeled finding moments of leisure, adventures, and activities outside of work to make life a bit more balanced.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started taking piano lessons when I was 5 years old, but even before then, I was surrounded by music. I attended my first concert at 2 weeks old as my dad was the conductor, and since then, music has been a guiding star in my life. I graduated with a degree in Piano Performance and K-12 Music Education from Hastings College in 2015, with the thought of becoming a classroom music teacher or going to graduate school. I did neither. Instead, I lived and taught music in the Dominican Republic right after graduation. After coming back to Nebraska, I grew my private piano studio from 12-72 students, served as a regular accompanist for choirs and soloists, and began working more steadily on songwriting which has always been a great passion of mine.
I have never been able to sit still well, and I love creating and following through on new projects and ideas. Two years ago, I started a non-profit called the Hastings Community Music Academy, where I serve as the Executive Director and teacher for many of our community classes. Along with that, I still have a large private piano studio and have continued as an accompanist for a local school. I feel so passionate about music outreach and education, and I know that work will always be part of my life.
If I am being honest though, my dream is to be a working songwriter. I have recorded and released several songs that can be found on any streaming service, and I am continuously working on a new song or project. Most recently, I wrote a Christmas Cantata called “Bearers of the Divine” that will be premiered in December 2023, written for 4-12 part choir, piano, string quartet, and percussion. I have also been working on an idea for a musical, as well as a collection of songs inspired by paintings by female artists. In all my songs, I strive to craft thoughtful lyrics and memorable melodies while being open, honest, and heartfelt.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. When I walk through the world, I try my best to learn something from everyone around me. Humans are so creative, strange, and incredible, and everyone has something to offer. Though it is not always easy, I really try to listen so I can learn from other’s stories, their triumphs, their failures, and soak in all that I can. For me, that is the best way to learn and grow as an individual.
2. A realization I had a few years ago is that nobody cares more about my hopes and dreams than I do. It seems like a no brainer-of course nobody cares as much as I do if they are my hopes and dreams! But I used to get so frustrated if my ideas weren’t met with the same energy that I was feeling or if someone didn’t work as hard as I did to achieve the goal. That isn’t to say that people don’t care and I have to do everything on my own-I am so lucky to have a great support system full of smart and helpful people. But I have found that big things happen when I work the hardest, care deeply, and don’t put the expectations I have for myself on others.
3. I think writing thank you notes is one of the best things a person can do. Everyone has so much going on, and if they took time to assist me in some way, be it financially, by offering their time, or sharing their talents, it is important for me to thank them. This is how I can show my genuine appreciation for them while also spreading a little kindness. And, everyone likes to know when they are cherished.
All that being said, the best advice I can offer to folks who are early in their journey is to learn from everyone, believe in yourself, and always show your appreciation for others.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I go for a walk if I can. Walking puts me in a different space, both physically and mentally, and often allows the perspective to shift. During a walk, I might solve the problem that has caused the overwhelm, or I might just listen to something to take my mind off of it. I have learned to figure out what I need in these situations, and I try my best to honor what my brain and body are telling me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahvaun/
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16pY6wr4u9xsLnlOBw4kKV
