Northern Minnesota residents Eli Bissonett and
LynnAnne Vesper spent the 2007 - 08 school year in Finland studying
folk music in an education program which is organized by the Finnish
national Folk Music Institute in Kaustinen. There, they were
mentored by Finnish folk musicians who, while grounded in ancient and
traditional folk music, are also adding elements of pan-Scandinavian
and world music to their repertoires. Their performance at the
Stämma will include a demonstration of instruments which they built and
learned to play: the natural flute and the ancient Finnish instruments
jouhikko and kantele. Inspired by modern Finnish folk musicians,
LynnAnne and Eli are evolving their own style which adds American flair
to Nordic folk music.
LynnAnne and Eli, who are both from Ely, met through their shared
interest in Scandinavian folk music. LynnAnne studied music at Gustavus
Adolphus College and Eli earned a degree in classical violin
performance from the University of Minnesota, and has also toured
nationally as a folk fiddler..
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