When: Friday, 7 November 2025, 4:00pm
Where: Northstar Ballroom A, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Format: Performance
This concert, presented by the Nordstär Ensemble, highlights the musical traditions of Somali, Swedish, and Norwegian communities in Minneapolis. Based locally, the ensemble has performed at venues such as the American Swedish Institute, Norway House, and the Somali Museum, bringing cultural expressions to a wide audience. Hear the distinctive sounds of the nyckelharpa, a Swedish keyed fiddle, alongside the hardingfele, a Norwegian fiddle known for its resonant sympathetic strings. Somali percussion will also feature prominently, blending these diverse traditions into a unique and vibrant musical experience.
Musicianas Carrie Danielson, Renee Vaughan, Harbi Mohamed Kahiye, Sarah Pradt, Paul Sauey, Dan Newton, and Laura McKenzie each brings their own intimate knowledge of their heritage, resulting in a performance that is both rich in cultural meaning and artistically compelling. This concert offers a rare and dynamic fusion of Northern European and East African musical forms, showcasing the cultural richness of Minneapolis’ immigrant communities, past and present.
Performers
Carrie Danielson (moderator/emcee) is Assistant Professor of Musicology at Florida State University and researches immigrant music making in the Upper Midwest with a particular focus on Scandinavian folk music and dance.
Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) is a nyckelharpa player and a versatile collaborator involved in a range of musical projects, including intercultural and intergenerational ensembles, educational presentations, storytelling performances, and workshops focused on Scandinavian folk music. In 2024, she served as the musician-in-residence for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures.
Harbi Mohamed Kahiye (percussion) is recognized as the only professional Somali drummer in North America and has been a central figure in bringing Somali rhythms to broader audiences. Harbi performs widely in both traditional and contemporary settings, collaborates with artists across genres, and is committed to preserving and sharing Somali musical heritage through education and community engagement.
Rehanna Kheshgi (vocals) is an ethnomusicologist researching how music fosters connection in Somali diaspora communities in the U.S. Her project “Somali Songs: Building Community through Sound,” engages Somali youth through listening, performance, and resource-building. She also teaches courses on music, community, and social justice.
Alaba Ilesanmi (keyboard), born in Lagos, Nigeria, is a scholar-musician whose work connects research, creativity, and community engagement. His research on global Black music spans Afrobeat(s), African art music, nightlife scenes, and sacred traditions, with his current project examining the legacy of Fela Kuti. He also directs ensembles and initiatives that spotlight African traditions and commission new works.
Sarah Pradt (hardingfele) is a member of the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag, an ensemble dedicated to Norway’s national folk instrument, the Hardanger fiddle. She is an active participant in the Nordic music community, sharing her passion for the tradition through both teaching and playing.
Laura McKenzie (flute and säckpipa) is a multi-instrumentalist celebrated for her mastery of Celtic wind instruments. In recent years, she has expanded her artistry to include Nordic traditions, studying Swedish wooden flute and säckpipa.
Paul Sauey (guitar) is a Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist and member of the Nordic American roots band, Ponyfolk. Equally at home in folk, classical, and contemporary styles, Paul brings a wide-ranging musical sensibility and collaborative spirit to his work in Nordic music.