Dr. Jensen brings 15 years of nonprofit administrative experience to TYSA. Growing up in a large, musical family with five siblings, Dr. Anna Jensen was primed to excel at the double bass—while also developing a remarkable capacity for intuiting the needs of diverse learners. She embodies that rare combination of extraordinary musician, dynamic teacher, and leader.
With 20+ years in performance and education, Dr. Jensen has the ability to develop an instant rapport with youth of all types, quickly establishing a sense of trust and shared respect that makes learning comfortable and effective. From instructing students at a Big Ten university—to developing curriculum for preschoolers—to coaching underserved teen players—Anna Jensen is keenly perceptive and gifted at quickly pivoting and adapting a lesson so it can be received by anyone. She builds students’ music skills; but more importantly, she builds self-esteem.
Dr. Jensen is the assistant principal bassist of Symphony Tacoma, the principal bassist of the Tacoma Opera Orchestra, and regularly performs with orchestras across the region.
Her passion for the music translates to her deep involvement in education. In addition to instructing position at Pacific Lutheran University, Dr. Jensen was the education manager for both Symphony Tacoma and the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association where she managed the Evergreen Music Festival for 12 years. She has taught on the faculty at Central Washington University, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, and at the University of Puget Sound. Her double bass students have placed in the top three at the state level numerous times and frequently win concerto competitions. In recognition of her outstanding teaching, Dr. Jensen was the recipient of the “Outstanding Master Teacher Award” from the American String Teachers Association – WA Chapter and the “Friend of Music” award from the Washington Music Educators Association.
Receiving her doctorate in musical arts degree in double bass performance at the University of Michigan, she studied with Dr. Diana Gannett and was a graduate student instructor. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan (DMA and MM) and Central Washington University (BM) and has been the recipient of the Mildred Tuttle Fellowship, the Farrell Merit Scholarship-Grant and was awarded the Presser Scholar. When not performing or teaching, Anna can be found making mud pies with her four young children, hiking in the woods, or encouraging her own family’s improvisational skills and joy of music!