University of Nebraska Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Dr. Pete Madsen
Director of Jazz Studies, University of Nebraska Omaha
Dr. Pete Madsen is a nationally respected jazz educator, trombonist, and arts advocate whose innovative and entrepreneurial approach has transformed the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Jazz Studies program into a dynamic, self-sustaining force for students and the community. With over two decades of leadership at UNO, Dr. Madsen has developed a model for funding and growing a jazz program through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and creative resource development.
He has raised over $500,000 in private donations and secured more than $100,000 in grant funding from the Nebraska Arts Council, Mid-America Arts Alliance, and other regional entities. His student ensembles routinely perform throughout the region, generating thousands of dollars annually—a testament to his emphasis on student entrepreneurship and real-world experience. Under his leadership, the UNO Jazz Festival and UNO Jazz Camp have grown in size and impact, supported by a wide range of corporate sponsors and community partners.
Internationally, Dr. Madsen has forged partnerships that have made global travel affordable and accessible for students. Since 2003, he has led or facilitated 14 international tours across Europe, Asia, and South America, enriching the global perspective of UNO’s jazz students through culturally immersive performance opportunities.
A seasoned performer, Dr. Madsen has appeared on two Summit Records releases with the acclaimed trombone ensemble The Big Bad Bones and recorded with the Jim Widner Big Band on the Chase Music Group label. As a freelance artist, he has backed legendary performers including Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Bobby Watson, Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Faddis, and Aretha Franklin. His artistry and versatility as a trombonist continue to inform his teaching and mentorship of young musicians.
Dr. Madsen is a familiar face at the Jazz Education Network Conference, having served as a clinic presenter, featured performer with the Jim Widner Big Band, and director of the Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra, which performed at JEN in 2010, 2015, 2018, and 2022. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts education, he received the Excellence in Arts Education Award from the Nebraska Arts Council in 2023.
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No Budget? No Problem! An Entrepreneurial Approach to Running a High School or College Jazz Program
Friday, January 9, 2026
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM CST
University of Nebraska Omaha Jazz Ensemble
Saturday, January 10, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
