Hannah Howard Andresen, born in Denmark, has been recognized as a trailblazing figure challenging traditional norms within the classical music world by combining her skills as a conductor with her academic background in Gender Studies. Andresen had already at a young age conducted several Norwegian symphony orchestras after winning a spot in the distinguished Norwegian Dirigentforum, Talent Norway. Her debut with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021 was televised live on Norway’s national TV station and was later turned into the documentary “Let’s Play,” featuring her portrait. The former head of the Dirigentforum program characterized Andresen as a conductor who consistently shows a positive attitude and strong dedication to her work, highlighting her as a very important and exciting conductor to look out for in her generation.
Andresen’s journey into orchestral conducting began when she enrolled in the Orchestral Conducting program at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where she earned her degree. After just one year of studying conducting, she was honored with a fellowship to participate in the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in the United States. She was also selected as the Music Director for Juniorsymfonikerne, a youth orchestra in Oslo. She participated in numerous masterclasses with renowned figures such as Christian Ehwald, Johannes Schlaefli, Jorma Panula, Hannu Lintu, and Vasily Petrenko and conducted the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside her conducting career, Andresen is deeply engaged in exploring the intersection of classical music, philosophy, and gender, by challenging stereotypes and exploring the portrayal of women in the field of conducting within the classical music industry. This scholarly endeavor is exemplified in her M.Phil research thesis at the University of Oslo. Andresen demonstrates her interdisciplinary approach to the arts innovatively, setting the foundation for her conducting career with a commitment to a diverse repertoire. Andresen is also dedicated to fostering the next generation of musical talents. As an Instructor in Ensemble Leadership at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Stavanger in Norway, she shares her profound knowledge and enthusiasm, inspiring and mentoring the talents of future classical musicians. Furthermore, she lectures on the subject of Gender and Music, thereby enriching the educational landscape with her expertise and insights.
Andersen’s journey is marked by innovation and an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers. As she continues to evolve as a conductor, scholar, and mentor, her goal is to make a greater impact on gender equality in the field of classical music.