Faculty Profiles

Ted Hogarth joined The Music Center’s Community Music School in 2025, bringing with him a lifetime of musical exploration and artistry. A dynamic performer, composer, educator, and recording artist, Ted specializes in saxophone, clarinet, and jazz improvisation—and thrives on helping students find their unique musical identity. A proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Ted attended the prestigious Michigan-based arts school for his high school career, laying the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of music. “Interlochen opened my eyes to the joy of collaborative music-making and the discipline behind it,” he says. “It’s an experience that’s stayed with me ever since.” Ted later studied at Arizona State University and Northeastern Illinois University, and earned a Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition with Distinction from DePaul University. His career spans more than two decades, including national tours with Jersey Boys, Dream Girls, and A Bronx Tale, along with performances and recordings with jazz greats like Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, and Rob Parton. He has released four albums as a band leader, founded The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band, and serves on the board of The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation. “I want my students to feel empowered—not just to play the notes, but to tell their own story through music,” Ted shares. “That’s where the real joy comes from.” Since relocating to Kalamazoo in 2016, Ted has performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Birdseed Salesmen, Asphalt, and in regional theater productions. He teaches private lessons at The Music Center and Goshen College. Outside the classroom, Ted enjoys composing, spending time outdoors, and making music with friends. “Music has always been the thread that ties everything together for me,” he reflects. “It’s how I connect—with others, with creativity, and with the world around me.”