Susan Hagen

Susan Hagen is an Assistant Professor of Bass at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches double bass performance and technique. A Boston native, she received both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Double Bass Performance from Boston University, graduating with honors as a student of Edwin Barker, principal bass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Hagen's research interests center on double bass technique, injury prevention for bassists, and contemporary performance practices. She has developed specialized warm-up techniques that focus on building strength, improving intonation, and preventing injuries. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes positive reinforcement and efficient practice methods, believing that 'you've got to be careful sometimes' with technique to avoid injuries. She tailors her approach to each student's physical structure, stating 'we're not all strung together the same way, so I individualize what I do and tweak it for each student.'

Her recent scholarly work shows a strong focus on contemporary double bass repertoire, with numerous world premieres of new compositions. She has recorded over 100 pieces written after 2010 and given world, US, and regional premieres of more than 55 pieces in online recitals since March 2020. Her research spans both traditional and amplified double bass techniques, as evidenced by her performances of Simón García's Concerto for Amplified Double Bass.

• First female principal double bassist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
• Published author: 'BASSics of Bass: 8 Warm Ups for Players of All Ages' (2nd Edition, 2023)
• Co-host of the internationally acclaimed 'Bass-Talk with Hagen & Heyes' podcast
• Featured on multiple recordings including Steve Bailey's 'Carolina' and Bass Extremes' 'S'low Down'

As an educator, Dr. Hagen has developed a comprehensive approach to bass technique that bridges multiple musical styles. She explains: 'Basically what I'm doing is technique. So in a way it's at first removed from any style of playing, it's more like set-up, then I show them: this is how you can use it if you're playing Bach, this is how you can use it if you're playing in the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, this is how you can use it if you're playing jazz or blues.' She has served as a clinician at numerous institutions including the Rochester Bass Retreat, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Oberlin Conservatory.

Dr. Hagen is actively involved in initiatives supporting underrepresented bassists. She has helped form and currently serves as Board Vice Chair of the Artemas Bass Initiative, which is dedicated to empowering women and non-binary bassists through mentorships, seminars, and scholarships. She is also looking forward to the inaugural conference for the League of Women Bassplayers.