Renee Vaughan shares the spirit of Scandinavian folk art through the resonant voice of the nyckelharpa, traditional music, and stories from the north. Whether performing, teaching, or sharing tales passed down through generations, Renee invites you to experience a living tradition that is both ancient and evolving—rooted in tradition, crafted for today.
For over a decade, Renee has engaged audiences at esteemed venues such as the American Swedish Institute, Norsk Høstfest, and the Minnesota Orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes Festival, among others. She is currently an MPR Class Notes Teaching Artist and in 2024, she served as Musician-in-Residence at UW-Madison’s Nordic Folklife Department, where she explored the musical legacies of first-generation Swedish immigrants. During her residency, she launched the online collection Nordic Newcomers and began an archive of Upper Midwest Scandinavian Allspel tunes to preserve and share these melodies. In 2022, she received a fellowship from the American Scandinavian Foundation to study with master nyckelharpist Cajsa Ekstav.
A passionate collaborator, Renee is deeply involved in intercultural and intergenerational music ensembles, blending Scandinavian traditions with various cultural influences. She organizes concerts, workshops, and folk dances to foster the growth and preservation of the Nordic folk scene.
For over a decade, Renee has engaged audiences at esteemed venues such as the American Swedish Institute, Norsk Høstfest, and the Minnesota Orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes Festival, among others. She is currently an MPR Class Notes Teaching Artist and in 2024, she served as Musician-in-Residence at UW-Madison’s Nordic Folklife Department, where she explored the musical legacies of first-generation Swedish immigrants. During her residency, she launched the online collection Nordic Newcomers and began an archive of Upper Midwest Scandinavian Allspel tunes to preserve and share these melodies. In 2022, she received a fellowship from the American Scandinavian Foundation to study with master nyckelharpist Cajsa Ekstav.
A passionate collaborator, Renee is deeply involved in intercultural and intergenerational music ensembles, blending Scandinavian traditions with various cultural influences. She organizes concerts, workshops, and folk dances to foster the growth and preservation of the Nordic folk scene.
Mpls. St. Paul International Film Fest (2025)
MN Orchestra: Nordic Soundscapes (2025)
Opening for Skye Consort (2025)
Opening for FRIGG (2025)
Midwinter Folk Festival at ASI (2025)
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association (2025)
Duluth Nordic Music Festival (2024)
Norsk Høstfest Festival (2024)
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum (2024)
Hjemkomst Festival (2024)
Folklore Village (2024)
Musician-in-Residence, UW-Madison (2024)
MN Orchestra: Nordic Soundscapes (2025)
Opening for Skye Consort (2025)
Opening for FRIGG (2025)
Midwinter Folk Festival at ASI (2025)
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association (2025)
Duluth Nordic Music Festival (2024)
Norsk Høstfest Festival (2024)
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum (2024)
Hjemkomst Festival (2024)
Folklore Village (2024)
Musician-in-Residence, UW-Madison (2024)