🎻 Spring Tunes: Three Inspiring Music Courses I Attended This Season
This spring was filled with music, learning, and connection. I had the opportunity to participate in three wonderful music courses, each offering something unique—new styles, deeper technique, and a strong sense of community. Here is a look back at these inspiring experiences.
🎶 1. Fiddlers on the Move – Ghent (5–9 March)
In early March, I joined Fiddlers on the Move in Ghent, a five-day course packed with workshops led by musicians from all over the world. Although I play the nyckelharpa, I deliberately chose workshops that were not nyckelharpa-specific. This gave me the challenge and joy of translating techniques from other string traditions to my instrument.
Here is a glimpse of the week:
- Wednesday: Fiddle singing with Laura Cortese – singing while playing was new for me, and surprisingly fun.
- Thursday: Klezmer violin / Fiddlers down the roof with Amit Weisberger – beautiful melodies and ornamentation with plenty of character.
- Friday: Arabic music with Layth Sidiq – an introduction to maqams and rhythmic patterns that stretched my ears in the best way.
- Saturday: Swedish violin jamsession classics with Mia Marine – a familiar style, but always a joy with Mia’s energy and musicality.
- Sunday: Live looping strings with Joris Vanvinckenroye – playful creativity with loops, layering, and rhythm.
Each day brought something different, and I came home with a head full of ideas and melodies to explore further.
🪗 2. Workshopweekend Stichting Draailier & Doedelzak – Sint-Michielsgestel, NL (18–21 April)
In mid-April, I traveled to Sint-Michielsgestel in the Netherlands for the annual Workshopweekend organized by Stichting Draailier & Doedelzak. This year marked the foundation’s 40th anniversary, and the event was extended to four days, from Friday evening to Monday afternoon, at the beautiful location of De Zonnewende.
I joined the nyckelharpa workshop with Rasmus Brinck. One of the central themes we explored was the connection between playing and dancing polska—a topic close to my heart. I consider myself a dancer first and a musician second, so it was especially meaningful to deepen the musical understanding of how movement and melody shape one another.
The weekend offered a rich variety of other workshops as well, including hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, diatonic accordion, singing, and ensemble playing. As always, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. With structured workshops during the day and informal jam sessions, concerts, and bals in the evenings, it was a perfect blend of learning and celebration.
🇸🇪 3. Swedish Music for Strings – Ronse (2–4 May)
At the beginning of May, I took part in a three-day course in Ronse dedicated to Swedish string music. Although we could arrive on 1 May, teaching started the next day. The course was led by David Eriksson and organized by Amate Galli. About 20 musicians participated—two violinists, one cellist, and the rest of us on nyckelharpa.
The focus was on capturing the subtle groove and phrasing that make Swedish folk music so distinctive. It was a joy to be surrounded by such a rich soundscape and to play in harmony with others who share the same passion. The music stayed with me long after the course ended.
✨ Final Thoughts
Each of these courses gave me something different: new musical perspectives, renewed technical focus, and most importantly, the joy of making music with others. I am deeply grateful to all the teachers, organizers, and fellow participants who made these experiences so rewarding. I am already looking forward to the next musical adventure!