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Jocelyn Hagen is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on January 31, 1980, in Valley City, North Dakota. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a piano teacher and her father a church choir director. Hagen started playing the piano at the age of five and began composing music when she was in high school. Hagen attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in composition at the University of Minnesota, where she studied with composers Judith Lang Zaimont and Dominick Argento. Hagen also holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Minnesota. Hagen's music is known for its lyricism, rhythmic energy, and emotional depth. She draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including poetry, nature, and personal experiences. Her compositions often feature vocal and choral music, as well as chamber and orchestral works. One of Hagen's early works is "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci," a song cycle for soprano and piano based on the writings of the famous artist and inventor. The piece was premiered in 2003 and has since been performed by numerous singers and pianists around the world. Another notable work from this period is "The Heart's Reflection," a choral piece that sets the poetry of Emily Dickinson to music. In 2006, Hagen composed "Ashes of Roses," a chamber opera based on the novel by Mary Jane Auch. The opera tells the story of a young Irish immigrant who comes to New York City in the early 1900s and struggles to make a new life for herself. "Ashes of Roses" was premiered by the Minnesota Opera and has since been performed by other opera companies in the United States. Hagen's choral music has been particularly well-received, with many of her works becoming staples of the choral repertoire. One of her most popular pieces is "Amass," a setting of the Latin Mass for choir and percussion. The piece was commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers and has been performed by choirs around the world. Other notable choral works by Hagen include "O Magnum Mysterium," "The Music of Stillness," and "The Edge of Night." In addition to her work as a composer, Hagen is also an active performer and educator. She has performed as a pianist and vocalist with various ensembles and has taught composition and music theory at several universities. Hagen is also a co-founder of the Twin Cities-based choral ensemble Lumina, which specializes in performing contemporary choral music. Hagen's music has received numerous awards and honors, including the American Composers Forum's Champion of New Music Award and the McKnight Fellowship for Composers. Her works have been commissioned and performed by many prominent ensembles, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Overall, Jocelyn Hagen is a talented and versatile composer whose music has made a significant impact on the contemporary classical music scene. Her works are known for their beauty, emotional depth, and accessibility, and she continues to be a leading voice in the world of classical music.

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