Thomas Hechenberger

Thomas Hechenberger serves as Lecturer for Guitar & Theory/Arrangement/Composition at the Faculty of Music, JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music, and at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music since 2017. Previously, he held teaching positions at Vienna Konservatorium (2012-2016), Bundesgymnasium Ettenreichgasse (2010-2012), and Volkshochschule Liesing (2003-2004), while also serving as Dean of Studies for Bachelor of Arts in Music at JAM from August 2017 to July 2018.

His academic foundation includes a Diplom in Publizistik and Kommunikationswissenschaft / Musicology from the University of Vienna (1994-2000, with distinction), where he later worked as a scientific assistant in music communication (1998-2000), and a Diplom in Jazz Guitar from Vienna Konservatorium (1995-2001, with distinction). He has continuously enhanced his expertise through professional workshops since 2002, including sessions with Wolfgang Muthspiel.

Hechenberger's research centers on music functionality and reception, evidenced by his 1999 diploma thesis "Zur Funktionalität der Musik und ihrer Rezeption." His scholarly work integrates with extensive practical expertise across diverse musical domains including theoretical frameworks, compositional techniques, and performance practices spanning jazz, rock, pop, soul, and global music traditions.

His industry recognition includes:

• 2018 Austrian Amadeus Award for Song of the Year (Cordula Grün)
• 2021 Austrian Amadeus Award for Live Act of the Year (Josh.)
• 2022 Nomination for 5 Austrian Amadeus Awards

As an active educator and performer, Hechenberger bridges academic instruction with real-world application through guitar pedagogy, theoretical instruction, and collaborative artistic projects across multiple genres and professional contexts.