Elizabeth Weis 2127 Juliet Avenue Saint Paul MN 55105 (651) 690-3040 Work Samples Audio: Gro-Fossekase Pinn Torpa Frun Polska efter Pers Erik Olsson To hear the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Elizabeth (Becky) Weis Scandinavian fiddle Elizabeth Weis provides performances and lecture-demonstrations of the musical idioms of Sweden and Norway using the primary traditional instrumentsóviolin, key fiddle (nyckelharpa), and Hardanger fiddle (hardingfele). She presents entertaining programs and school programs, and plays for dances, social gatherings, and wedding processions in several musical dialectsóin costume if requested. Her knowledge and experience as a performer and teacher come from her Scandinavian heritage and living and studying in Sweden and Norway. Available: Anytime; no mileage restrictions Space: 6 by 6 ft.; small table, about 3 by 3 ft., one chair without arms, microphone if in an auditorium Fee: $100 to $300 depending upon arrangements, negotiable

Additional Information:
Elizabeth Weis performs and offers lecture-demonstrations on a variety of Swedish and Norwegian styles of traditional music.

Traditional Norwegian and Swedish music includes many shared elements. Two of the broad musical categories used in both areas are gammaldans and bygdedans. Gammaldans is the term used for old-time dance styles that were popular throughout Scandinavia. These include waltzes, schottishes, polkas, and mazurkas. Bygdegans encompasses a variety of village dance styles. There are numerous regional variations of bygdedans, often referred to as "dialects". In both Sweden and Norway, fiddles are the primary traditional instruments used to accompany dance music. The conventional fiddle is used in both countries, while the hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle) is especially popular in Norway, and the nyckelharpa (key fiddle) is a Swedish favorite.

Elizabeth Weis uses all three of these fiddles in her performances. Her father taught her many traditional tunes when she was very young, and she grew up doing many of the dances that she now accompanies. In 1974, she saw her first key fiddle, and in 1981, she learned to play the instrument while studying in Sweden. Three years later, she began learning the Hardanger. Since that time, she has been fortunate to study this music on both sides of the Atlantic. For many years, she made regular trips to Sweden and Norway. Here in the U.S., she has attended camps and workshops with visiting master musicians. She has also taken an academic interest in the subject, writing an M.A. thesis on hardingfele, and a dissertation on nyckelharpa.

The performances that Becky offers are quite flexible, ranging from background music to concerts, dances, lecture-demonstrations, workshops, and private lessons. Many include both music and cultural background. If it is appropriate for the venue, she can find experienced dancers to help demonstrate dances along with her. She can also perform in either Swedish or Norwegian traditional costume, if desired.

Links --

The American Nyckelharpa Association

The Hardanger Fiddle Association of America