Janette K. Hanson

is a member of the Theatre and Musical Theatre faculty at Viterbo University, where she serves as collaborative accompanist, vocal coach, music director, pit musician, and rehearsal pianist. She previously served on the music faculty at UW-LaCrosse and Sparta High School. At Viterbo, she has served as music director for Make Me a Song, The Pajama Game, Footloose‚ Carrie: The Musical, The Hello Girls, 42nd Street‚ Godspell, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Additionally, she has served as pit musician for Bat Boy: The Muscial, Into the Woods‚ Merrily We Go Along‚ 9 to 5‚ Cats, Edges, Lost Girl, James and the Giant Peach, and Shout. She also accompanies and co-directs cabarets, solo recitals, professional masterclasses, improv shows, showcases, and laboratory courses such as audition techniques, acting through song, and scene study. In January 2020, she was chosen to conduct the WI All-State Vocal Jazz ensemble. Her solo singers have participated in NATS, WMEA, and ACDA honor ensembles and competitions. She judges show choir solo competitions, serves as a vocal jazz clinician, accompanies student recitals, sings with local jazz bands, and plays organ for church. She served as staff accompanist for the National NATS competition in 2019. She serves as a solo/ensemble and large group judge for Wisconsin and Iowa. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Missouri State University and a Masters degree in Education from UW-La Crosse. She maintains a private studio. She and her husband Mark have four children and four grandchildren.