Michael “Hoagy” Hoagland
Musical Arranger
Originally from central Indiana, Hoagy received his Bachelor’s from Ball State University. Under the mentorship of Dr. Fritz Mountford, he developed a specialized curriculum based in early American popular music. That was the music of Minstrel shows, Tin Pan Alley, early Broadway, and classic Standards. His major, Entertainment Production, was the first of its kind at Ball State and became the foundation for the University’s current Music Business major.
From Ball State, he set out as a singer, dancer, and actor in theme parks, cruise ships and theatres around the world. Favorite roles include the Pirate King in Pirates of Penance with Opera New Hampshire, Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Phaedra in La Cage aux Follies, Ernst in Cabaret, Willard in Footloose, Billy in Anything Goes, Dr. Craven in Secret Garden, Chino in West Side Story (if you can believe it), and as a dancer alongside Sandy Patti in Indianapolis Symphony’s Yuletide Celebration. He has also been a featured dancer with Virginia Opera and a principal dancer with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
As a Composer and Arranger he’s been a part of a wide variety of music projects. Recent and clients include Curious Pictures, Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Pyramid Players Children’s Theatre, Temple Theatre, Special Olympics, Prather Family of Theatres, Mill Mountain Theatre, Circa 21 Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis Union Station’s 110th Anniversary, and many others.
In 2004, Hoagy became a member of the prestigious BMI Musical Theatre Writer’s Workshop. There, he honed his skills as a composer and lyricist learning from masters in the industry and peers alike. He soon became a guest composer at Columbia University in their MFA Playwright program.
As a Musical Director & Vocal Director, he has been fortunate to work with Temple Theatre, Indianapolis Union Station, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Pyramid Players, Burn Brae Productions, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Hoagy is a certified Pro Tools engineer, and member of the following organizations: ASCAP, Actor’s Equity Association, The Dramatists Guild, American Museum Theatre Association, Commercial Theatre Institute, Theatre for Young Audiences – USA, and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Hoagy’s first single recorded by Lisa Dames, Dear Mister Jesus, is currently available on iTunes.