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Karen Solgård grew up on a farm near Crookston,
Minnesota, and learned Norwegian folk songs from her mother and
grandmother. First a cellist, she graduated from University of
Minnesota School of Music and performed in string quartets and
orchestras in Italy, France, New York, and Minnesota. Karen began to play Hardanger
fiddle in 1985. She traveled to Norway in 1986 where she heard
Hardanger fiddle played by Norwegian masters for the first time.
She was editor of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America
(HFAA) journal, Sound Post, 1988-1991, and was vice president
the organization 1997-2000. She has been a teacher at the HFAA
summer workshops for several years. She was chairperson of the
Twin Cities Hardingfelelag 1997-2000. Karen was interim Hardanger
fiddle instructor at St. Olaf College during 2004-5 school-year.
Karen has performed all over the Upper Midwest as well as toured to all corners of the United States. She is on the Young Audiences of Minnesota roster presenting concerts, workshops and residencies in schools and for children's groups. CDs include "Norse Fiddle at Home" and "Norse Fiddle at the Wedding." She also published a companion music book of wedding music for Hardanger fiddle or violin. Contact Karen at: norsefiddle@solgard.com
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