Scholarships
Bernt Balchen, Jr.
(Photo courtesy Kjell Bitustøyl)
Olav Jørgen Hegge
Lars Skjervheim
Hanna Hilger
The BERNT BALCHEN, JR., OLAV JØRGEN HEGGE, LARS SKJERVHEIM and HANNA HILGER HARDINGFELE SCHOLARSHIPS are open to beginning and intermediate hardingfele students for full-time attendance at the HFAA’s annual Summer Workshop. Scholarships cover 100% of the workshop tuition and meals (housing costs are not included). The Balchen scholarship is named in honor of Bernt Balchen, Jr., a master fiddle teacher at our early HFAA workshops. The Hegge scholarship is named in honor of Olav Jørgen Hegge, founder and leader of the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag, and is made available thanks to the generosity of the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag. The Skjervheim scholarship, open to applicants between the ages of 19 and 34, is named after Lars Skjervheim, master hardingfele player and teacher from Voss, Norway, and is made available thanks to the generosity of HFAA founding member Andrea Een in honor of Skjervheim, who was her teacher. The Hilger scholarship is named after Hanna Hilger, mother of HFAA member Astrid Hilger Bennett, and is made available thanks to Astrid’s generosity. NOTE: The application deadline for 2025 is EXTENDED to APRIL 30.
For more information, contact scholarships@hfaa.org.
Harold K. Sersland with dance partners Alfhild (“Pat") Karlsgodt Peterson and Hilda Karlsgodt Kringstad. Photo courtesy Carol Sersland.
The HAROLD K. SERSLAND YOUNG DANCER SCHOLARSHIP to the HFAA Annual Workshop is available to enthusiasts of any dance genre who are under the age of 30 as a way to encourage greater participation in Norwegian folk dancing among young people. One scholarship is available for attendance at the HFAA's annual Hardanger Fiddle Music and Dance Workshop, and it covers all tuition and meals (housing costs are not included) plus a small stipend. This scholarship is made available thanks to the generosity of Carol Sersland and Morrey Nellis in honor of Carol's father Harold, who immigrated to the United States from Hjartdal, Telemark and whose love of dancing, particularly the telespringar, was passed down to his daughter. NOTE: The application deadline for 2025 is EXTENDED to APRIL 30.
For more information, contact youngdancer@hfaa.org.
Work Scholarships for Attendees of our Annual Workshop
A very limited number of work scholarships covering approximately one-half of the workshop fee are available to support full-time attendance at the annual summer workshop. 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 videographer, sound technician or medical professional, please let us know. Contact the Workshop Chair at workshopchair@hfaa.org no later than May 1 each year to request a work scholarship. Successful applicants will be notified by May 15; you must send a completed registration form and check for registration and applicable housing fees by the mid-June workshop registration deadline (check the registration form for exact date) to guarantee your position.