Concert: Harding Violin in North America with Laura Ellestad and Ottar Kåsa

In this concert, the audience will experience an exciting meeting between Ottar Kåsa and Laura Ellestad. But it will not only be a meeting between two prominent Hardanger fiddle players and mediators – it will also be a meeting between the Norwegian and American Hardanger fiddle traditions. In 2025, there will be a national emigration anniversary, marking 200 years since the first boat with Norwegian emigrants set sail for America.

The emigrants brought their Norwegian cultural heritage with them on their journey – and the Hardanger fiddle was of course included. In this concert, Kåsa and Ellestad will explore the rich tradition of folk music in both Norway and America, with a special focus on the Norwegian playing that was brought to America by emigrants and how the playing has developed further “across the pond.”

Ottar Kåsa is a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle player and award-winning fiddle maker from Arabygdi in Vinje municipality. He is a trained fiddle maker from the Ole Bull Academy in Voss. He has music education from the Folk Music Studies in Rauland.

Laura Ellestad is originally from Canada, but has roots from Ellestad in Valdres. Laura Ellestad is a Hardanger fiddle player and researcher, and she teaches folk music at USN. She is also the first folk musician to have defended her doctoral thesis at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

The concert is in Årestoga at Raulandsakademiet
Entrance 300,- / 150,- students
Tavern and dancing in Gardsjordstoga after the concert

Tickets at the door or here: eTicket: "Harding Fiddle in North America" ​​with Laura Ellestad and Ottar Kåsa