Bernt Balchen Jr. Hardingfele Scholarships

Bernt Balchen, Jr. (courtesy of Kjell Bitustøyl)

Balchen Scholarships are open to beginning and intermediate Hardanger fiddle (hardingfele) students. Experienced string players who have never played hardingfele are eligible. Each scholarship covers the full-attendance fee for the Hardanger Fiddle Music and Dance Workshop; it does not include travel, housing, or any other expenses. Balchen scholarship awardees also receive a one-year free HFAA membership.

See our history of Hardanger fiddle scholarship awards for past workshops.

The Scholarships are named for one of HFAA's beloved early members who played for dancing, and taught both fiddle and well-styled dancing at several past annual workshops. Thus, Bernt was one of the primary figures involved in the revival of Hardanger fiddle playing in the United States. He authored the HFAA-published set of self-instructional books and CDs, which remain among the organization's standard educational products. Bernt makes his home in Oslo, Norway, where his playing continues to inspire fiddlers and dancers.

2008 Bernt Balchen Jr. Hardingfele Scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than May 15. Click the button below to ownload the application form

Bernt Balchen Jr. Hardingfele Scholarship form (PDF - 29K) — Requires the Adobe Reader.

or request an application by sending a #10 self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Hardanger Fiddle Association of America
P.O. Box 23046
Minneapolis, MN 55423-0046 USA

Contact us by e-mail at scholarships (at) hfaa (dot) org for any other assistance.

If you are applying for a hardingfele scholarship or a work scholarship, please register separately for the annual summer workshop by submitting the workshop registration form. Indicate which scholarship you are applying for on the form. You do not need to enclose a check with your workshop registration. Applicants will be notified by June 15th, so that additional fee payments, if any, can be arranged.

Work Scholarships

Work scholarships covering approximately one half of the workshop fee are available to support full-time (and possibly some part-time) attendance at the annual summer workshops. Workers assist with tasks such as light housekeeping, snack preparation, processing on-site registrations, and collecting concert admissions. If you have skills or an avocation that may be of use, such as sound technician or medical professional, please let us know. Contact the 2008 Workshop Chair by e-mail at workshopchair (at) hfaa (dot) org in order to request a work scholarship.

Ole Bull Scholarships

The HFAA has awarded scholarships for promising hardingfele players to attend Ole Bull Akademiet, a folk music institute in Voss, Norway. Tuition support for the one-week intensive courses were provided by Ole Bull Akademiet and travel support was provided by the HFAA. Our past Ole Bull scholars were Rachel Ulvin (2004) of Edina, Minnesota and Laura Ellestad (2005) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

This scholarship is not currently offered. For more information, contact president (at) hfaa (dot) org.

__________________________________________