Central Washington University

Anna Jensen, bass faculty

General Statistics

  • US News Ranking: #44 (tie) in Regional Universities West
  • US News Overall Score (out of 100): 40
  • In-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $8,688
  • Out-of-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $21,501
  • Room & Board 2016-17: $9,316
  • Total Enrollment: 11,996
  • Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 81%
  • Student – Faculty Ratio: 20:1
  • 4 year graduation rate: 24%
  • % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 64%
  • Average Financial Aid: $8,699

Double Bass Statistics

  • Average number of undergraduate bass students: 11
  • Average number of graduate bass students: 1
  • Studio Class, Bass Ensembles, Bass Studio Recitals, Bass Day, masterclass, workshops

What Alumni Are Doing

  • From Anna: They are pursuing grad school, teaching, and freelancing

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

Q: What are some of your favorite experiences teaching at your school?

A: The bass studio has formed the CWU Bass Club. This club has given them funding opportunities to attend concerts, bring in masterclass teachers, and for 4 of them to attend the ISB convention at no cost.

CWU has both a strong orchestra and an award winning jazz band.

About The Bass Faculty

Dr. Anna Jensen, double bassist, teaches, performs, and leads clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Jensen received her doctorate in musical arts degree in double bass performance at the University of Michigan where she studied with Dr. Diana Gannett and was a graduate student instructor. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan (DMA and MM) and Central Washington University (BM) and has been the recipient of the Mildred Tuttle Fellowship, the Farrell Merit Scholarship-Grant, and was awarded the Presser Scholar. Dr. Jensen is the assistant principal bassist of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, the principal bassist of the Tacoma Opera Orchestra, the principal bassist of the Vashon Opera Orchestra, and regularly performs with orchestras across the region. She has performed with the Second City Chamber Music Series, the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival, the Kairos Music Festival and Lyceum, the Rackham Chamber Music Series, and the All Rivers at Once contemporary music series. Dr. Jensen has been the featured soloist with the Evergreen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lake Chelan Bach Festival Orchestra, the Wenatchee Symphony Orchestra, and the Tacoma Young Artists Orchestra. Her interest in contemporary music has brought about numerous new chamber music works for the double bass and she has presented the world premieres of these works. Dr. Jensen has won the Spokane Allied Arts Young Artist Competition, the Helen Snelling Crowe Competition, and was a finalist in the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition.

In addition to performing, Dr. Jensen is deeply involved in arts education. She is currently the education specialist for both the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. During the summer, she is the festival manager for the Evergreen Music Festival and has taught at The Marrowstone Music Festival, The Hammond Ashley Double Bass Workshop, and The Icicle Creek Summer Symphony Program. In addition to her position at Central Washington University, Dr. Jensen teaches double bass and music theory at the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and maintains a large private studio. Her double bass students have placed in the top three at the state level numerous times and frequently win concerto competitions across the region. Prior to teaching at CWU, Dr. Jensen taught at Bowling Green State University and Pacific Lutheran University.

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