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Dana Jessen is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a bassoonist, improviser, and composer. Born in 1982 in the United States, Jessen grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist, which gave her a unique perspective on music. Jessen began playing the bassoon at the age of 12 and quickly fell in love with the instrument. She went on to study music at the University of North Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in bassoon performance. After completing her undergraduate studies, Jessen moved to Europe to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in Germany. During her time in Europe, Jessen had the opportunity to study with some of the world's most renowned bassoonists, including Dag Jensen and Sergio Azzolini. She also began to explore other genres of music, including jazz and improvisation, which would later become a significant part of her career. After completing her Master's degree, Jessen returned to the United States and began performing with various orchestras and ensembles. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented and versatile bassoonist, and her performances were praised for their technical skill and musicality. In addition to her work as a classical bassoonist, Jessen also began to explore the world of improvisation and composition. She collaborated with other musicians to create experimental music that blended classical and jazz elements, and she began to develop her own unique style of improvisation. Jessen's career reached new heights in 2012 when she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study contemporary bassoon techniques in Amsterdam. During her time in the Netherlands, she worked with some of the world's leading contemporary composers and performers, including Michael Gordon, Louis Andriessen, and Evan Ziporyn. After completing her Fulbright Scholarship, Jessen returned to the United States and continued to perform and compose music. She has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including the International Contemporary Ensemble, the Wet Ink Ensemble, and the American Composers Orchestra. Jessen's performances have been praised for their technical skill and musicality, and she has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2015, she was awarded a grant from the New Music USA Commissioning Fund to create a new work for bassoon and electronics. The piece, titled "Carve," premiered in 2016 and was praised for its innovative use of technology and its exploration of the bassoon's sonic possibilities. In addition to her work as a performer and composer, Jessen is also a dedicated educator. She has taught bassoon and improvisation at a number of institutions, including the University of North Texas, the University of California San Diego, and the University of Michigan. Overall, Dana Jessen is a talented and versatile musician who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Her innovative approach to the bassoon and her exploration of improvisation and composition have earned her a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative musicians of her generation.

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