2026 Summer Workshop Instructors

The HFAA is delighted to present from Norway some of the most accomplished teachers of the music and dance tradition of Valdres.

Jan Beitohaugen Granli, Advanced Hardingfele.  Jan Beitohaugen Granli grew up in Rogne, in the Øystre Slidre area of the Valdres valley. He started fiddle studies when he was six, inspired by the playing of his great uncle.  Jan studied at the local cultural school with master fiddler Trygve Bolstad for twelve years, and many recognized his great talent for the instrument. During that time he also began to teach, learning the craft by doing. 

Later Jan attended the famed Rauland Academy, where he not only studied, but worked teaching hardingfele in the culture schools in the county. After a one year pause in studies, Jan landed at the Ole Bull Academy, where he spent another two years refining his craft. He returned to Valdres thereafter, and began his work in the culture school, teaching the next generation of incredibly skilled fiddlers. 

Known as brilliant technician, outstanding performer, and skillful yet demanding teacher, Jan is no stranger to competition either. He is one of a tiny handful of fiddlers to have won the national fiddle competition six times and continues to teach and compete. He makes his home now in Volda where he farms and teaches in the culture school in Ålesund.

Knut Arne Jacobsen, Dance. Knut Arne Jacobsen started as a folk dancer in 1975 and has danced ever since. His goal has always been to transmit culture and traditional knowledge from the past to younger generations. Knut is also a skilled traditional storyteller and folk singer as well as dancer. He has participated in many classes oriented towards dance teachers through the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Knut lives in Rogne in upper Valdres, and has taught innumerable workshops both in Norway and the US together with his partner Brit Totland.

Brit Berthelsen Totland, Dance. Brit Berthelsen Totland started dancing at the age of 17. She joined several folk-dance groups in Oslo, and participated in various courses to become a folkdance teacher, including folk dancing for children, which she has taught for almost 30 years. She began teaching Valdres springar in 1983. She then began to participate in the National Competition (Landskappleik) in 1987, and was elevated to the A-class in 1988. Brit learned the Valdres springar from various couples from Valdres, including the tradition bearers Berit and Knut Steinsrud from Øystre Slidre, Valdres. She has been dancing and teaching together with Knut Arne Jacobsen since the 1980's.

Please stay tuned for more information on our fabulous 2026 Summer Workshop, coming soon!