Hansen has a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, a Master of Music from Boston University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. He has done post-graduate study at Cambridge University in England. Hansen made his professional singing debut with the Boston Summer Opera Theatre. He has made numerous concert appearances in New England, the Midwest, and the Southwest, and as soloist with the Amarillo Symphony, the Randel Chamber Orchestra and Amarillo Opera. Hansen performs regularly with Chamber Music Amarillo and the Amarilo Little Theatre.
Hansen was named a Regents Professor of the Texas A&M University System in December, 2009. He was awarded WTAMU's Teaching Excellence Award in 2005, the Faculty Excellence Award from the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts in 2008 and Outstanding Research and Creative Achievement Award in 2009.