Dale Haefner

Education:

• M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Arts Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato
• B.S. in Music Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato

Biography:
Dale Haefner has been the Performance Series Director at Minnesota State University, Mankato for twenty-four years, bringing a wide range of ethnically diverse musical offerings to the Mankato area. His position provides leadership for promotion of Music Department events and educational outreach programs and services for youths and adults alike.  

Haefner also teaches upper-level music industry courses in Concert Production, Introduction to the Music Industry, and Music in the Marketplace for student’s pursuing majors in music industry. Haefner’s administration experience includes working with artist’s managers, contract negotiations, time management skills, and scheduling.

One aspect of Dale Haefner’s skill set is successful grant writing and grant administration. In 2016, Haefner collaborated on a grant project with Project Directors from the Cedar Cultural Center (Minneapolis) and the Paramount Center for the Arts (St. Cloud) as a three-member consortium to build knowledge and appreciation for arts and culture with roots in the Somali community. The three-year project, funded at $500,000 by the Doris Duke Foundation and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, used the arts as a strategy to lead positive change around the awareness and perceptions of Muslim identity in Minnesota.

Dale Haefner is a life-long musician and has been nominated various times for a Minnesota Music Award. Since 1986, Haefner has been playing with regional legends, City Mouse, who regularly perform over 40 shows a year. Haefner has performed throughout the United States and Canada in nightclub, college and arena settings, many times opening for major recording artists.