Hannah is a Master student in conducting at the Faculty of Performing Arts

- My dream is to make a difference in gender equality within the cultural environment

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Hannah Howard Andresen masterstudent i dirigering
Photo: Martin Søby
  • Name and age: Hannah Howard Andresen, 26 years old
  • I'm from: Denmark
  • At the moment I study:
    I am currently pursuing two master's degrees. One in conducting at the Faculty of Arts and one in gender studies at the University of Oslo.

6 quick questions:

I chose Master programme in Stavanger because:

I wanted to study under Professor Bjarte Engeset and Morten Schjelderup Wensberg, they are both amazing. I can strongly recommend other conducting students to study under them!

How is the everyday life for a Master student?

The main part consists of score reading, conducting musicians from the SSO (Stavanger Symphony Orchestra) or students from the university, and attending rehearsals. I will also be teaching students taking Bachelor degree at the Faculty in leading an ensemble, so that will also be a part of my daily life here at the university. Additionally, I have courses such as performance practice, where the main focus is on the relationship between notation and the sounding text throughchanging eras and ideals. My daily study routine also involves a lot of writing on my master's thesis in gender studies, where I explore conductors and gender equality. In connection with this, I participate in debates related to my thesis: on gender and music . Moreover, I am part of the Female Leadership Academy, which also fills my daily studies with inspiring lectures and workshops.

 

I wanted to study under Professor Bjarte Engeset and Morten Schjelderup Wensberg, they are both amazing! 

Hannah Howard Andersen , master programme student
Hannah Howard Andresen masterstudent i dirigering
Photo: Martin Søby

This is my dream job:

My dream is to make a difference in gender equality within the cultural environment. It is much needed, and my passion for this is significant. I also dream of writing a PhD thesis where I can continue to have conducting and gender research as my focus and profession.

My favourite place at Campus Bjergsted:

The library is my favorite place on campus. I love being surrounded by books and sheet music. It helps me relax and always gives inspiration for something new to learn.

This is what I like to do in my spare time:

To stay in my summer house on Sjællands Odde with family and friends, and discuss lots of feminist philosophy. When I'm out and about and have time to spare, I explore the city's culture by visiting museums, enjoying nature and discovering concerts.

Here are my three top tips to this year’s applicants:

  • Prepare instinctively and diligently for many months
  • You're awesome, remember that!
  • Visit the campus in advance before the audition and meet the teachers if possible

Get to know the faculty