Trent Hanna

Dr. Trent Hanna is a composer, pianist, and educator with over 30 years of experience in higher education and professional performance. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Snow College, where he coordinates the Theory and Composition programs and has taught a wide range of courses including music theory, ear training, composition, piano, orchestration, and jazz.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from The University of Texas at Austin where he completed his dissertation under Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts.  An award-winning composer and performer, his works have been featured in concerts, festivals, and recordings across the U.S. and abroad. He is also the founder of Trent Hanna Community, a group dedicated to original collaborative performances.

Dr. Hanna’s teaching is rooted in creativity, musical fluency, and practical musicianship. Whether guiding students through advanced analysis or helping them compose their first original work, he emphasizes discovery, self-expression, and craft. His classes blend tradition with innovation, drawing from his own experience as a composer and performer across classical, contemporary, and jazz styles.

Dr. Hanna believes in empowering students to think musically, create boldly, and grow artistically—with both discipline and joy. His lessons are guided by the unique musical interests, goals, and strengths that each student brings to the table. Whether a student is composing original music, emulating other songwriters or composers, or arranging pieces in creative ways, he tailors instruction to support and challenge them in meaningful ways. Dr. Hanna believes that when students engage with music they’re passionate about, learning becomes more relevant, personal, and transformative.