Dave Hagedorn is a renowned percussionist and educator in the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1964, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Hagedorn grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Hagedorn started playing the drums at the age of six and later switched to percussion when he was in high school. Hagedorn attended St. Cloud State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. He then went on to study at the University of North Texas, where he received a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance. During his time at North Texas, Hagedorn had the opportunity to study with some of the most renowned percussionists in the world, including Leigh Howard Stevens, Robert Schietroma, and Ed Soph. After completing his studies, Hagedorn began his career as a professional percussionist. He has performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the United States, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with numerous chamber ensembles, including the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota, the Bakken Trio, and the Minnesota Contemporary Ensemble. In addition to his work as a performer, Hagedorn is also an accomplished educator. He has taught at several universities, including the University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is currently a professor of percussion at the University of Minnesota, where he has been on the faculty since 1994. Throughout his career, Hagedorn has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a percussionist and educator. In 1992, he was awarded the prestigious McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians. In 2002, he was named the Minnesota Music Educators Association's Collegiate Educator of the Year. In 2010, he was awarded the University of Minnesota's Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, which is the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty members. Hagedorn's performances have been praised for their technical precision and musicality. He is known for his ability to play a wide range of percussion instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, and timpani. He is also an expert in contemporary percussion music and has premiered numerous works by contemporary composers. One of Hagedorn's most notable performances was his solo performance of John Cage's "Third Construction" with the Minnesota Orchestra in 1996. The performance was praised for its energy and precision, and it helped to establish Hagedorn as one of the leading percussionists of his generation. Hagedorn has also been involved in several recordings throughout his career. In 1998, he released his first solo album, "In the Pocket," which featured a mix of jazz and classical music. He has also recorded with several ensembles, including the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Hagedorn is also a composer. He has written several works for percussion ensemble, including "The View from the Back of the Band," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Percussion Association in 2005. Hagedorn's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant.

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