We are excited to have three Norwegian champions as our guest teachers. Olav Luksengård Mjelva won the Norwegian national competition (Landskappleik) in Hardanger fiddle in 2008. At the Landskappleik in 2009, Ulf-Arne Johannessen and Ingunn Stræte Lie won the pair-dance competition and the King's Cup for their Hallingspringar and Ulf-Arne won the laus dance competition. Our American teachers are well known for their teaching skill. Come join us in an environment that has been called “the warmest and most supportive in North America!”

Information about our teachers and other staff

Detailed information about our Workshop Program

Information on scholarships

Registration information

Housing and meals information

Directions and ride sharing information

Dance classes: Participants in the dance classes will have the chance to explore the fascinating, playful springar from Hallingdal with our champion teachers Ulf-Arne Johannessen and Ingun Stræte Lie – a unique opportunity to learn how to listen to the music, relate to the fiddler and your partner and build a wonderful dance.

Mini-class & jam sessions: Kveding (traditional singing) classes and munnharpe (jaw harp) jam sessions offer you a chance to broaden your Norwegian folk music experience.

Folklore Village is the setting for all activities. Located on the edge of a restored prairie 35 minutes west of Madison, Wisconsin, Folklore Village offers a perfect venue for hardingfele classes, dance workshops, concerts, lectures, and dance parties. The beautiful, air-conditioned Farwell Hall includes a spacious sprung wood dance floor and separate classrooms for fiddle instruction. Across the road, Plum Grove Church (1882) offers excellent acoustics for small lectures or classes. Bunkhouses offer simple accommodations, as does the tenting area. For those who want more privacy or air conditioning, there are motels nearby in Dodgeville.

Registration: See Registration information for the registration form and other details. Registrations should be postmarked before June 25. Late fees will be assessed after this date. We cannot process registrations postmarked after July 9.

Bernt Balchen Jr. and Olav Jorgen Hegge Hardingfele Scholarships (named in honor of Bernt Balchen, Jr., master fiddle teacher at our early workshops, and the late Olav Jørgen Hegge, founder and leader of the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag) are open to beginning and intermediate hardingfele students. At least two scholarships are available for 2010 that cover 100% of the workshop fee. See Scholarships information for the application form and other details. Applications must be postmarked by April 15.

HFAA Work Scholarships covering approximately 50% of the workshop fee are available to 4-day (and possibly some part-time) workshop attendees. See Scholarships information and contact the 2010 Workshop Chair at workshopchair (at) hfaa (dot) org by May 1 to request a work scholarship.

Children and Teenagers: Children and teens are welcome, as HFAA endeavors to promote the appreciation of traditional music and dance among younger generations! Children who have the ability to participate in music and dance activities may attend the classes. There are no childcare facilities available, so parents should be prepared to watch their children and work cooperatively with other parents. Advance registration is required for all children. Teenagers are welcome to attend without a parent, but they must have an adult chaperone. Contact the Workshop Chair by e-mail at workshopchair (at) hfaa (dot) org to make arrangements.

Room and Board: The Folklore Village staff prepares delicious meals for the enjoyment of all. They offer a vegetarian option but they do not accommodate specialized dietary restrictions. Please indicate on the registration form if you desire vegetarian meals. No discount in the registration price is given for meals not eaten at Folklore Village.

Ride Coordination: We can assist in arranging ride sharing from the airport in Madison and possibly Chicago. Please indicate on the registration form if you need a ride or can offer one. You can also e-mail the rides coordinator to offer or request a ride, and consult the rides board to see who needs and who can offer a ride.

Please contact the 2010 Workshops Committee Chair for more information on our program.