Chris Dickhaus joined the faculties of Winona State University in 2017, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in 2022, and Saint Cloud State University in 2024 as Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone. He previously held teaching positions at the University of Northern Iowa (2016-2019), and Frisco Independent School District (TX); where he managed a private saxophone studio from 2007-2016.
While in Texas, Chris built an active performance schedule throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, having the opportunity to perform in all the major venues in the area. As a former member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and the North Texas Wind Symphony – under the baton of Eugene Corporon – Chris has also performed on over a dozen recordings.
Additionally, Chris has received numerous awards and honors of state, regional, and national acclaim, including being a finalist two consecutive years (2008-2009) at the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, placing 1st at the 2005 NCMTA Woodwind Young Artist Competition, 2nd at the 2006 Southern Regional MTNA competition, 1st at the Richard Chandler YouTube recording competition (2019), and granted the 2009 Thelma Hearn Prize for Chamber Music Group by the Texas Music Teachers Educational Foundation. As a student Chris was awarded a Saxophone Teaching Fellowship (2007-2010) at the University of North Texas, and Teaching Assistantships in Rock and Roll History (2019-2020) within the Online and Distance Learning and the College of Liberal Arts departments at the University of Minnesota.
Residing in Minneapolis, Chris Dickhaus recently graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, where he studied with Dr. Preston Duncan. He also holds performance degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (BM) and the University of North Texas (MM), having studied with Dr. Steven Stusek and Dr. Eric Nestler, respectively.