Talent Development

Through the Folk Sessions talent development programme, we champion the next generation of performers - new voices making their mark on the musical landscape!

Since 2014, Folk Sessions has been Riksscena’s talent development programme. Here, we give young performers the time and space to deepen their practice, meet mentors and tradition bearers, and develop their own artistic projects.

Through a range of thematic programmes, Folk Sessions has highlighted different traditional music communities and areas of expertise — including stage performance, the development of new bands, new old-time dance ensembles, Sámi talent and more. The methodology is adapted to each individual tradition. Each programme runs for approximately two years and includes gatherings, mentoring and opportunities to present the participants’ work.

Projects, artists and ensembles developed through the Folk Sessions programme are now highly visible within the folk music and folk dance sector.

Through collaborations with Talent Norge, Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and the Fure Foundation, we have been able to expand the Folk Sessions programme, strengthen its quality and develop a range of new initiatives since 2024.

Read more below about the current programmes, Folk Sessions: National Minorities and Folk Sessions: Vocal, as well as our previous programmes.