Hannah Hickman

Background

About Hannah Hickman

Hi, I’m Hannah Hickman. I grew up in Iowa, where I first started practicing the saxophone in a small music studio my dad built inside our family’s barn. From the beginning, music was a path I knew I wanted to follow. That path led me through four music degrees and across the country, studying with incredible mentors (including my personal saxophone heroes), performing on international stages, collaborating with inspiring artists, and learning how to teach and lead with intention. Today, I live in Connecticut where I perform and teach a diverse group of saxophonists. I’ve played with orchestras like the Albany Symphony, New World Symphony, and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, and as a soloist with the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and the Hartt Wind Ensemble. I performed at the Festival of Contemporary Music as a Fromm Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2024 and was named a Yamaha Young Performing Artist in my undergraduate years. In Fall 2025, I’ll be releasing my first album, Unknown Horizon (cmntx records), featuring the music of J. Taylor Arnold. I currently serve on the music faculty at Connecticut State Community College and previously held positions at The Hartt School, Mount Holyoke College, and Westfield State University where I taught applied lessons, saxophone ensemble, woodwind studio class, and woodwind chamber music. I’ve also worked with students in middle schools, high schools, and summer programs across the U.S, including the American Saxophone Academy and the Kansas City Saxophone Workshop. I love working with learners of all ages and lead a private studio of students ranging from age 10 to 74. My doctoral research focuses on creating engaging, inclusive saxophone curricula for senior adult learners, combining pedagogy with research on cognition, age-related physical changes, and motivation. I am exploring ways to collaborate with retirement communities and local community music initiatives to make the benefits of music-making more accessible at any age. I’ve discovered that building a career in music, especially as a saxophonist, requires entrepreneurship, grit, and a real love for the learning process. Every step of this journey (from barn-room practice sessions to the big stage) has deepened my belief that music can transform lives and reach an emotional depth in us that no other medium can. If you have ideas or opportunities for collaboration, I would love to hear from you! hickman.hannahb@gmail.com