Sigbjørn Apeland/Berit Opheim/Nils Økland

Sigbjørn Apeland, Berit Opheim and Nils Økland have collaborated in various musical projects for more than 30 years. Their careers have moved between classical music, folk music, jazz, improvisation, rock and more. Their musical curiosity and openness to genres have been their driving forces throughout long careers with lots of national and international touring. Nils Økland is a violinist and fiddle player, and has released several critically acclaimed albums as Nils Økland Band, having won both Norwegian Grammy and Folkelarm price. He is known for his innovative style and approach to folk music, and is a great role model for many younger fiddle players – especially for those playing the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle. Sigbjørn Apeland has been at the forefront in his profession as an organist and pianist in Norway and internationally. He has been part of close to a hundred albums in a multitude of genres, but with improvisation always present. Berit Opheim is a vocalist and has worked extensively with traditional Norwegian folk song and has premiered many new works, educated young musicians for 30 years at the Ole Bull Academy, and collaborated with choirs. Berit has also played the role of The Queen of the Night and Papagena in a production of The Magic Flute, and participated in many other cross-disciplinary projects.

Photo: Magne Sandnes, Per Finne, Malene Kristopine Økland