Dr. Anna Jensen brings 17 years of nonprofit administrative experience to TYSA. Growing up in a large, musical family with five siblings, Dr. 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 musician, educator, and leader.
Her passion for the music translates to her deep involvement in education. Prior to instructing at the University of Puget Sound and 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 Michigan where she was a Graduate Student Instructor. Her double bass students have placed in the top three at the state level numerous times and have won various concerto competitions over the years. 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.
As a conductor, Dr. Jensen is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for contests, festivals, and workshops across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska. She has conducted numerous All-State orchestras, regional honor groups, summer music festival orchestras, and city-wide orchestra festivals. During the year, Dr. Jensen conducts the University of Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra, the Tacoma String Philharmonic at the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, and is the Director of Orchestras at the Annie Wright School.
Dr. Jensen is the assistant principal bassist of Symphony Tacoma and regularly performs with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the region including the Paramount Theater Orchestra. She has performed with the Second City Chamber Music Series, the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival, the Kairos Music Festival and Lyceum, the Rackham Chamber Music Series, and the All Rivers at Once contemporary music series. Her vast interest in contemporary music has brought about numerous new chamber music works for the double bass and she has presented the world premieres of these works. She can be heard on William Bolcom’s Grammy Award winning recording of his “Songs of Innocence and Experience”, conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
Receiving her doctorate in musical arts degree in double bass performance at the University of Michigan, she studied with Dr. Diana Gannett. 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 hiking in the woods or on adventures with her spouse and four children.
Dr. Jensen is a Pierce County Arts Commissioner, where she represents District 7. She also serves on the Equity Review Team for the Tacoma Public Schools and the Finance Committee for the International Society of Bassists.