“The Voice” contestant performs at Coffeehouse
The Student Activities Board hosted a coffeehouse event on Saturday, Feb. 8 with singer/songwriter Dustin Hatzenbuhler providing the entertainment.
Hatzenbuhler was featured in season four of the NBC show “The Voice” which premiered in March 2013.
Hatzenbuhler performed about a dozen keyboard and ukulele based songs for the packed Beehive crowd.
Sophomore Christine Ritter was not disappointed by his performance.
“I came to hang out with some friends, hoping to hear good music,” Ritter said. “I had heard he was a really good singer and it turned out he was amazing.”
Among the dozen songs, Hatzenbuhler played a few of his own and a few from other artists including John Legend and Marvin Gaye.
Senior Alyssa Daniel appreciated his use of the keyboard and the ukulele rather than the guitar players normally featured.
“I’m a guitar fan, but I really enjoyed his skills playing other things,” said Daniel. “The ukulele really made him stand out from previous performers.”
Ritter also enjoyed the change from the standard coffeehouse performer.
“His jazzy style was probably my favorite part,” said Ritter. “The keyboard was a great switch-up and his voice compliments it so well.”
Hatzenbuhler was not aware he would stand out so much, but was glad he did.
“I’m glad it was something to listen to for people and it was enjoyable,” he said. “I’m always afraid I’m not as exciting with a piano than with a guitar, but it worked out well.”
Though the Minnesota native was not chosen by any of the celebrity judges to move on in “The Voice,” his brief airtime has changed his life drastically.
“Being on television for a mere three minutes opened up a lot of doors,” said Hatzenbuhler.
Shortly after appearing on the show, he got a call from the vice president of Macy’s Special Productions asking him to write a song for the Macy’s Glamorama charity event for children’s cancer research.
“Not only did they want me there, but they wanted me to write my own song for it,” Hatzenbuhler said. “That was probably my favorite opportunity since ‘The Voice’ because it was such an honor to be there.”
He is now on tour across the east coast and has also performed live on Minnesota radio stations.
“I have never been to this part of the country before so I was really pushing my agent to come here,” said Hatzenbuhler.
“I enjoy coming to smaller schools as well to experience the community feel and discover new places.”
Hatzenbuhler’s goal is to someday become a recognized singer and songwriter .
“Being able to write songs and create music for a living is my long-term goal,” said Hatzenbuhler.
“But it would be awesome to someday win a Grammy for a song I wrote. Nothing is more fulfilling than to have your song be a success and considered cool.”