Minneapolis Institute of Art Family Day
​Date:  January 11, 2026, 10:30am - 12:30 
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota 
Nordstär Duo is thrilled to perform for the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Family Day, a free monthly event filled with hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demos, and more. Enjoy live music and an up-close look at traditional Swedish instruments, featuring Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa and Laura MacKenzie on säckpipa (Swedish bagpipe) and wooden flute.
Your Class Notes Sessions: Minnesota Public Radio 
Upcoming Dates and Location:
January 15, 2026 Northrup Elementary 
February 11, 2026 Blake School Choir 
March 12, 2026 Kimberly Lane Elementary
April 14, 2026 Watertown-Mayer Elementary 
April 20, 2026 Avon Elementary & Albany Elementary
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​Nordstär Duo consists of Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa and Laura MacKenzie playing both the säckpipa (a Swedish bagpipe) and wooden flutes. They share a passion for traditional Swedish folk music and its unique instruments. In their Class Notes Concert, students will explore how traditional folk music connects with their own heritage, community, and sense of belonging. 
 
Students will learn about and identify by sight and sound several traditional Swedish instruments,  and how music, dance and storytelling are linked to cultural identity, history, and community, fostering a greater appreciation for traditional music’s role in shaping and reflecting community.   
BalFolk Social Dance  
Date: January 7, 14, 21, 28 
Location: Tapestry Folkdance Center 
Join Bob Walser & Friends to celebrate dances from Brittany, the Auvergne and other regions of France. No experience or partner needed for this enticing mix of circle, line and couple dances from the hypnotic and groovy to the energetic and sometimes even goofy  All dances will be taught and live music from Bob Walser,  Dan Newton, Elizabeth Rowan, Tom Klein, Laura MacKenzie and Renee Vaughan will invite you into the fun. 
Our Stories Night 
​Date:  January 16, 2026.  5:30-7:30
Location: Wayzata
Our Stories night ight is a new event designed for the students, families, and staff of Greenwood Elementary to celebrate cultures and traditions, and to share what they value and how their cultural stories shape their lives. The evening features music, dance, and storytelling including Swedish nyckelharpa, African drumming, Irish dance, Classical East Indian dance, and Indigenous rap. 
Nordic Soundscapes Festival
​Date:  January 17, 2026.  6:15-6:45 
Location: Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Roberta Mann Grand Foyer  
Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar) bring traditional Swedish folk tunes to the Minnesota Orchestra’s "Nordic Soundscapes Festival."   Their performance celebrates the distinctive rhythms and textures of Nordic folk music, setting the tone for an evening of orchestral works by Sibelius and more, conducted by Søndergård.  
PS  The MN-O promises "the story of Hamlet’s Ophelia from her perspective".  We might do that too, but tell the story of Ophelia from Taylor's perspective. 
Nyckelharpa! 
Date:  January 24, 2026
Location: Heritage Library 
​​With an unbroken tradition spanning over 700 years, a typical  nyckelharpa today boasts 16 strings—three dedicated to melody, one drone string, and the remaining 12 as resonant strings, contributing to its distinctive rustic and ethereal sound.
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This presentation shares the nyckelharpa's cultural significance, its journey to America, plus the musicians and makers who continue its legacy.   
The Nordic Newcomers  
Location: Sherburne County Historical
​Date:  February 7, 2026 
Explore how Swedish musicians who immigrated to the Upper Midwest (late 1800s–early 1900s) shaped regional traditions with fiddles, button boxes, nyckelharpas, and bagpipes—leaving a legacy in both Minnesota and Sweden.
Discover Tång Anna, a Swedish immigrant from the late 1800s who settled in Blue Hill, Sherburne County. Coming from a musical family, she left behind a tune still played in Sweden today.
The Cedar Commissions
​Date:  February 21, 2026
Location: The Cedar Cultural Center 
​Mikey Marget (they/them) is a Minneapolis-based cellist and songwriter. Their instrumental music combines traditional folk with modern electro-acoustic elements, and address topics including: the joy of community connection, personal and collective mental health, and queer experience. 
This project will weave traditional and modern musical elements with poetry and puppet masks to explore the concept of connection during our human-caused climate crisis
Midwinter Folk Festival
Date:  February 21, 2026
Location: American Swedish Institute 
At this year’s Midwinter Folk Festival, the Nordstär Ensemble includes Paul Sauey (guitar), Laura MacKenzie (säckpipa and wood flutes), and Sarah Pradt (fiddle) to present a selection of Sweden’s hottest hits from the 18th century.
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​Ever wonder what tunes were played by a transgender nyckelharpist in a Stockholm tavern in 1702? Or what music filled the barn dances hosted by botanist and noted polska dancer Carl Linnaeus? How did the polonaise evolve as it traveled from the refined royal courts into the lively village dances of everyday people? And how do these tunes sound today with modern aesthetics and Nordic guitar? 
Midwinter Folk Festival
Date:  February 22, 2026
Location: American Swedish Institute 
Strings and voice, poetry and story blend together to create Berätta, a new musical project by multi-disciplinary artist, Rose Arrowsmith, with Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa. Berätta, which means to tell, invites Midwinter Folk Fest listeners to journey through the dark of winter with the help of candlelight and legends, dancing and dreams of summer days to come.
ASI Male Chorus Fundraiser Dinner
Date:  Feburary 28, 2026  
Location: Salem Church, Minneapolis
Celebrate 90 years of song with the American Swedish Institute Male Chorus! Their fundraiser dinner features music by the ASI Male Chorus with special guests Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Dan Newton (accordion). A night of great music and community. Tickets available at asimalechorus.org 
McNordiques House Concert
Date:  March 1, 2026
Location: St. Paul.  Email for details 
The McNordiques bring Irish, French, and Nordic traditions together for an evening of richly textured acoustic music. Featuring Dan Newton (accordion), Tom Klein (uilleann pipes), and Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), the trio draws from deep traditional lineages, honoring the character of each tradition while finding common ground. The result is an intimate, dynamic concert showcasing the expressive range of these rarely heard instrumental combinations.
 Irish Music currated by Áit Ait  
Date:  March 3, 2026
Location: The White Squirrel
The McNordiques will get their Irish in full swing for a special set at 8:00, as part of Áit Ait’s month-long residency at the White Squirrel.  Featuring Tom Klein (uilleann pipes), Dan Newton (accordion)  and Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa)  
International Women’s Day: Nordic Newcomers  
Location: American Swedish Institute & Tapestry Folkdance Center
Date:  March 8, 2026
Celebrate International Women’s Day at ASI with a program highlighting women who immigrated to the Upper Midwest from Nordic regions, bringing their tunes, instruments, and dances from the old country.We’ll honor the legacy of fiddler Tång Anna, säckpipa (Swedish bagpipes) players Anna Larson and Hol Brita Skifstrom, hardingfele player and telespringar dancer Dagny Quisling and more.  

This special event is hosted by nyckelharpist Renee Vaughan and features live performances with Diane Jarvi, Laura MacKenzie, Sarah Pradt, Mattie Snyder, Synneva Bratland, ​ Johanna Solem, Carol Sersland, Elise Peters and more! 
Private Event 
Date:  March 9, 2026

Wedding Luncheon.  
Irish Arts Minnesota: St. Patrick's Day
Date:  March 17, 2026
Location: Landmark Center, Weyerhauser Auditorium 
Irish Arts Minnesota celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a special concert by The McNordiques on March 17, 2026 at the Landmark Center’s Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. Featuring Tom Klein (uilleann pipes), Dan Newton (accordion)  and Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) their musical offering brings Irish, French and Nordic traditions together
Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Eve) Spring Dance
Date: April 28, 2026  
Location: American Swedish Institute 
Celebrate Valborgsmässoafton at the American Swedish Institute with a one night only appearance by the band Blåkulla!  Named for the legendary witches’ gathering place of Swedish folklore.  This evening's dance will weave haunting sounds and springtime celebration into a spellbinding dance experience. Enjoy lots of called mixers and accessible dances for all levels. Blåkulla features Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar),  Laura MacKenzie (säckpipa and flutes), with more artists to be announced.
​Walloon's Impact on Swedish Folk Traditions
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: The Belgian Heritage Center, Brussels, WI
 In the 17th century, thousands of Walloon ironworkers left Belgium for Sweden, transforming its iron industry and cultural life. Among their descendants was the celebrated nyckelharpa player Byss-Kalle Bössa (born Boussard), whose Walloon roots highlight a legacy of cross-cultural influence.
Renee Vaughan is a nyckelharpa player whose great-great-grandparents were Walloon immigrants, and settled in Wisconsin’s Belgian Colony in 1856.
​Rochester Music Guild's Listen & Learn
Date: May 15, 2026
Location:  Christ United Methodist Church
The Rochester Music Guild is dedicated to music appreciation, education, and performance.   One of the Guild’s signature programs is Listen & Learn, which combines engaging performances with accessible music education 
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This season, Renee Vaughan will share the resonant sounds of the nyckelharpa, highlighting its rich musical heritage and strong connection to dance.
American Musicology Association (2025)
​MN Children's Hospitals & Clinics (2025)
Norsk Høstfest (2025)
FinnFest (2025)
​American Craft Council (2025)
Exhibit Opener for Salad Hilowye (2025) 
 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) 
​Minneapolis Improvement District (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) 
Morphy Hall (2024)
Minnesota History Center Theater
Landmark Center Theater
Mounds Theatre
St. Mane Theater
New York Scandinavian Festival
MN Bluegrass Festival
Nordic Music Festival
Minnesota State Fair
Norway House

Previous Events 2025 

11-24-25.  Gustavus Adolphus College 
11-19-25.  Happy Trucker Show
​11-17-25. Harmony for Mayo Clinic Concert Series & Live Stream
11-16-25. Lutefisk Dinner at American Swedish Institute
11-15-25. Woodbury Public Library Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning Workshop
11-12-25. Minnesota Public Radio Class Notes Sessions
11-09-25. Nordic Social Dance
11-07-25. American Musicology Association Performance
10-30-25. Wyoming Public Library Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning
10-28-25. Minnesota Children’s Hospitals and Clinics: Star Studio
10-28-25. Rush City Public Library Nordic Newcomers Presentation and Performance
10-25-25. MacGregor Public Library Nordic Newcomers Presentation and Performance
10-23-25. Mille Lacs Public Library Introduction to Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning
10-19-25. Grass Lake Mission Church Performance
10-16-25. Sandstone Public Library Nordic Newcomers Presentation and Performance
10-14-25. Milaca Public Library Nordic Newcomers Presentation and Performance
10-13-25. North Branch Public Library Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning
10-07-25. Hinkley Public Library Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning
09-24-25. Norsk Høstfest
09-21-25. Norsk Høstfest in the Schools (including Air Force Base)
09-17-25. Minneapolis Improvement District Street Show
09-09-25. ASI Men’s Choir Paddleboat Cruise
09-08-25. Scandia Sister City
09-06-25. Victoria Nordic Music Fest
09-03-25. Scandia Farmer’s Market & Sister City Event
08-27-25. Minneapolis Improvement District Street Show
08-22-25. Kräftvisa at American Swedish Institute
08-16-25. Gammelgärden Spelmanstämma
08-13-25. Scandia Farmer’s Market
08-12-25. Minneapolis Improvement District Street Show
08-03-25. FinnFest: Maria/Magnus Presentation and Performance
07-26-25. Nordic Camp: Music, Dance and Painting
07-25-25. Lake Elmo Library Swedish Music and Storytelling
07-19-25. Daughters of Norway International Convention
07-09-25. Scandia Farmer’s Market
07-08-25. Balfolk Dance at Mpls. Eagles Club
06-28-25. American Craft Council Festival at Union Depot
06-28-25. Midsummer at Red Pine Winery
06-26-25. Maria Magnus Presentation and Performance at American Swedish Institute
06-21-25. Midsummer at at American Swedish Institute
06-20-25. Salad Hilowle Exhibit Opener at American Swedish Institute
06-13-25. Duluth-Stämman Nordic Music Festival
​04-27-25. World Nyckelharpa Day
04-26-25. Scandinavian Studies National Conference Performance
04-12-25. MSP International Film Festival
04-06-25. Norseland Nordic Newcomers Presentation
03-29-25. Twin Cities Annual Nordic Ball
03-23-25. Hardwood Creek Library Nordic Newcomers Presentation
03-17-25. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium at Landmark Center with McNordiques
03-17-25. Waldmann Brewing with McNordiques
03-01-25. Midwinter Folk Festival with FYRA
02-28-25. Sacred Heart Music, Opener for FRIGG Opener with FYRA
02-27-25. Scandia Sister City Event
02-22-25. Minnesota State Fiddlers Association Nordic Newcomers
01-31-25. American Swedish Institute: Opener for SKYE Consort
01-17-25. MN Orchestra — Nordic Soundscapes Festival
01-12-25. Nordic Social Dance at Tapestry
01-03-25. House Concert with McNordiques
Copyright © 2025 Renee Vaughan