As a researcher, I specialize in Western classical music and work in (and between) the fields music theory, music history and music education. In 2022, I completed a PhD on the history of music theory education in Norway. Another research interest of mine is Edvard Grieg and his music. I have published articles in several peer-reviewed journals, presented papers at international conferences and currently serve as an associate editor of Studia Musicologica Norvegica.
My own musical background is from school bands, where I grew up playing drums and percussion and later advanced to instrumental teaching, conducting, arranging and composing. I have experience arranging and composing for orchestras, wind bands, big bands and chamber groups.
Research
Articles/chapters (peer-reviewed)
| — | “A Piece of Poetry? Agathe Backer Grøndahl’s ‘Sérénade.’” Accepted for publication in Music Theory and Analysis. | |
| 2024 | “Ernst Friedrich Richter and the Birth of Modern Music Theory Pedagogy.” Music Theory Online 30/iii. DOI:10.30535/mto.30.3.7. | |
| 2024 | “Music Theory in/as Musicology in Norway: Historical Reflections.” Svensk tidskrift för musikforskning 106, 1–29. DOI:10.58698/stm-sjm.v106.17563. | |
| 2023 | “Funksjonsteori – en musikkteoretisk tradisjon.” In Ø. Varkøy, E. M. Stabell & B. Utne-Reitan (Eds.), Høyere musikkutdanning: Historiske perspektiver, 113–144. Oslo: Cappelen Damm Akademisk. DOI:10.23865/noasp.199.ch6. | |
| 2022 | “Music Theory Pedagogy in the Nineteenth Century: Comparing Traditions of Three European Conservatories.” Journal of Music Theory 66/i, 63–91. DOI:10.1215/00222909-9534139. | |
| 2022 | “Norse Modes: On Geirr Tveitt’s Theory of Tonality.” Danish Musicology Online, Special Issue (“European Music Analysis and the Politics of Identity”), 46–69. | |
| 2021 | “Schematic Deformation: Systematic Linearity in Grieg’s ‘Takk’ and Other Lyric Pieces.” Music Analysis 40/ii, 227–252. DOI:10.1111/musa.12165. | |
| 2020 | “To symfonier og et mysterium: Om formbehandlingen i de første symfonisatsene til Grieg og Svendsen.” Studia Musicologica Norvegica 46, 41–60. DOI:10.18261/issn.1504-2960-2020-01-05. | |
| 2018 | “Edvard Griegs øvelser i harmonilære og kontrapunkt.” Studia Musicologica Norvegica 44, 57–78. DOI:10.18261/issn.1504-2960-2018-01-05. |
Articles/chapters (not peer-reviewed)
| 2023 | “Norsk høyere musikkutdanningshistorie – en bibliografi.” In Ø. Varkøy, E. M. Stabell & B. Utne-Reitan (Eds.), Høyere musikkutdanning: Historiske perspektiver, 355–363. Oslo: Cappelen Damm Akademisk. DOI:10.23865/noasp.199.vedlegg. | |
| 2023 | “Innledning” (co-authored with Ø. Varkøy & E. M. Stabell). In Ø. Varkøy, E. M. Stabell & B. Utne-Reitan (Eds.), Høyere musikkutdanning: Historiske perspektiver, 9–13ß. Oslo: Cappelen Damm Akademisk. DOI:10.23865/noasp.199.ch1. | |
| 2021 | “Edvard Grieg and Music Theory.” In P. Dinslage & S. Keym (Eds.), Edvard Grieg und seine skandinavischen Kollegen in ihren Beziehungen zu Leipzig: 8. Deutscher Edvard-Grieg-Kongress vom 15. bis 17. Oktober 2020 in Leipzig, 73–84. Leipzig: Gudrun Schröder Verlag. |
Edited volumes
| 2023 | Høyere musikkutdanning: Historiske perspektiver (co-edited with Ø. Varkøy & E. M. Stabell). Oslo: Cappelen Damm Akademisk. DOI:10.23865/noasp.199. | ||
| 2023 | NMH50: Jubileumsmagasin (co-edited with K. A. Krokaa). Oslo: Norges musikkhøgskole. |
Book reviews
| 2021 | Review of Towards a Harmonic Grammar of Grieg’s Late Piano Music: Nature and Nationalism, by Benedict Taylor. Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie 18/ii, 255–262. DOI:10.31751/1146. |
Reports
| 2024 | Norges musikkhøgskoles historieprosjekt: Sluttrapport. Oslo: Norges musikkhøgskole. |
Theses
| 2022 | Harmony in Conservatoire Education: A Study in the History of Music Theory in Norway. PhD dissertation, Norwegian Academy of Music. | |
| 2018 | Edvard Griegs studier i musikkteori: Kontrapunktøvelser som grobunn for innovativ harmonikk. Master’s thesis, Norwegian Academy of Music. |
Popular writings
| 2023 | NMH50: Jubileumsmagasin (co-edited with K. Krokaa). Oslo: Norges musikkhøgskole. | |
| 2023 | “The Norwegian Academy of Music: A Timeline.” Norges musikkhøgskole (September 1). | Link |
| 2023 | “Musikkhøgskolens historie.” Norges musikkhøgskole (September 1). | Link |
| 2021 | “Grieg’s student years in Germany.” The Norwegian American 132/15 (September 3), 15. | Link |
| 2018 | “Norsk musikks gullalder ifølge Ringve.” Museumsnytt 2018/3, 32–35. | Link |
| 2017 | “Har teorifagene utspilt sin rolle i klassisk musikkutdanning?” Ballade, October 23. | Link |
Conference/seminar papers
| 2024 | “Om etableringen av musikkteoretisk terminologi i Skandinavia: Johan Daniel Berlin og den første dansk-norske læreboken i musikk (1744).” Paper read October 24–25, 2024, in Oslo. Conference: Nordisk gehørkonferanse. |
| 2024 | “Learning from history: On music theory and value judgement.” Paper read July 4–6, 2024, in Guildford. Conference: Music and the University: History, Models, Prospects. |
| 2024 | “A guide to understanding the first things about music: Johan Daniel Berlin and the first Scandinavian theory textbook (1744)” Paper read July 1–3, 2024, in Edinburgh. Conference: Society for Music Analysis Annual Conference. |
| 2024 | “Music Theory and Value Judgement: Cases from the History of Music Theory in Norway.” Paper read March 19, 2024, in Bodø. Conference: Nordic Network for Research in Music Education. |
| 2023 | “Why Richter? Exploring the International Success of Richterian Theory Pedagogy in the Nineteenth Century.” Paper read November 11, 2023, in Denver, CO. Conference: AMS/SMT Joint Annual Meeting. |
| 2023 | “Harmonic Analysis in Norway: Historical and Theoretical Reflections.” Paper read July 7, 2023, in Oxford. Conference: Society for Music Analysis Annual Conference (OxMAC23). |
| 2023 | “Historical Developments in the Music Theory Discourse in Norway.” Paper read March 30, 2023, in Örebro. Conference: Nordic Network for Research in Music Education. |
| 2022 | “Funksjonsteorien(e)s historie.” Paper read August 30, 2022, in Asker. Seminar: Forfatterseminar arrangert av NMHs historieprosjekt, CERM og CEMPE. |
| 2022 | “The Academisation of Music Theory in Norway (of the Lack Thereof).” Paper read July 8, 2022, in London. Conference: Music and the University. |
| 2022 | “Large-Scale Form in the History of Music Theory in Norway.” Paper read April 1, 2022, in Asker. Research seminar: Articulating Form. |
| 2021 | “Constructing ‘Satslære’: Preliminary Findings from a PhD Project in Progress.” Paper read March 2, 2021, in Trondheim (via Zoom). Conference: Nordic Network for Research in Music Education. |
| 2020 | “Om begrepet satslære i norsk musikkteoridiskurs.” Paper read December 4, 2020, in Oslo. Research seminar: NMHs historieprosjekt. |
| 2020 | “Edvard Grieg and Music Theory.” Paper read October 17, 2020, in Leipzig (via Zoom). Conference: Edvard Grieg und seine skandinavischen Kollegen in ihren Beziehungen zu Leipzig. |
| 2020 | “Music Theory in Higher Music Education: Introducing the Contours of a PhD Project.” Paper read March 2, 2020, in Copenhagen. Conference: Nordic Network for Research in Music Education – Pre-conference for PhD projects in progress. |
| 2019 | “Grieg’s Gratitude: An analysis exemplifying linear foundations for Grieg’s harmony.” Paper read October 26, 2019, in Bergen. Conference: Grieg Now! International Conference and Workshop 2019. |
| 2019 | “Partimento i lærebokform” (together with H. Støring, A.M. Christensen & J.B. Hvattum). Book review presented September 26, 2019, in Oslo. Conference: Nordisk konferanse for musikkteori- og hørelærepedagoger. |
| 2016 | “Counterpoint exercises as basis for innovative harmony? An introduction to a new project on Grieg’s studies in music theory.” Paper read November 22, 2016, in Bergen. Research seminar: Sketches and Exercises: History and Theory of Compositional Writing. |
Guest lectures and public talks
| 2024 | “On Aesthetic Value Judgements in Norwegian Music Theory.” Paper read June 11, 2023, in Oslo. Study day: Innovating Historical Musicology. |
| 2024 | “Introduksjon til historieprosjektet og dets resultater.” Talk given June 3, 2024, at Avslutning av historieprosjektet med lanseringer (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo). |
| 2024 | “Edvard Grieg med Bjørnar Utne-Reitan.” Radio interview aired February 26, 2024. Show: Jazzer om klassisk on Radio Nova (also released as a podcast). |
| 2024 | “NMH50: Historieprosjektet.” Talk given January 23, 2024, at Boklansering: Jubileumsantologien (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo). |
| 2023 | “Noch einmal: Grieg & Theory.” Talk given September 25, 2023, at Grieg Seminar (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo). |
| 2023 | “NMH 50 år: Perspektiver fra Historieprosjektet.” Talk given March 1, 2023, at Seniorklubben (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo). |
| 2022 | “Edvard Grieg - Tiden i Leipzig.” Guest appearance in a podcast episode released March 27, 2022. Podcast: Musikknerdpodden. |
| 2020 | “Om Griegs ‘forbudte’ symfoni.” Talk given December 3, 2020, at the digital launch of Studia Musicologica Norvegica 46. |
| 2020 | “Grieg og Leipzig-konservatoriet.” Guest lecture given November 4, 2020, at the University of Bergen (via Zoom). Course: Griegstudier (MVK104). |
| 2019 | “Om de underliggende kreftene i Griegs harmonikk.” Guest lecture given March 29, 2019, at the University of Oslo. Course: Musikkhistoriske temaer 1 (MUS2665/MUS4665). |
| 2017 | “Edvard Griegs studietid i Leipzig: Med særlig henblikk på studiene i musikkteori.” Talk given May 9, 2017, at Musikkteoriforum (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo). |
Music
Compositions (selections)
| 2021 | Postludium – Piano solo [02:00]. | Link |
| 2018 | Havet vester ute – Wind band [13:30].
Commissioned by Haugesund janitsjarorkester. Premiered October 26, 2019. |
Link |
| 2018 | Klagesang – Orchestra [02:45]
Originally composed in 2015. Revised in 2018 for a workshop with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. |
Link |
| 2017 |
The Deceitful Love – Film music [16:13]
Short film directed by Ali Al-Tobi. |
Link |
| 2017 | Det våres i Oslo – Euphonium, marimba and piano [01:40] | Link |
| 2016 |
Eventyrlig ouverture – Orchestra [03:00]
Performed by Nord-Rogaland symfoniorkester. Premiered January 14, 2017. |
Link |
| 2016 |
Rytmisk fantasi – Wind band [10:00]
Commissioned by Hauge skolekorps. Premiered March 18, 2017. |
Link |
| 2016 | Fire miniatyrer – Clarinet and cello [05:00] | Link |
Arrangements (selections)
| 2020 |
Haugesundssangen (I. Rojahn) – Wind band
Commissioned by Haugesund janitsjarorkester. |
Link | 2019 |
Ballade (A. B. Grøndahl) – Wind band
Performed by Sjøforsvarets musikkorps. |
Link |
| 2017 |
Fuga over navnet GADE (E. Grieg) – Wind band
Performed by Sinsen musikkorps. |
Link |
| 2017 |
Ås to i Osjlo; Høi; Saikåu Djåu (Ravi) – Wind band and vocal soloist
Commissioned by Sinsen musikkorps. |
Link |
| 2015 |
Batum (Fläsket brinner) – Big band
Performed by Skeisvang vgs’ big band. |
Link |
Curriculum vitae
Higher education
| Year | Degree |
|---|---|
| 2022 | PhD in Music Research – Norwegian Academy of Music Dissertation: Harmony in Conservatoire Education |
| 2019 | PPU (Post-Graduate Certificate in Education) – University of Oslo
Subjects: Music & Norwegian |
| 2018 |
MM in Music Theory – Norwegian Academy of Music
Thesis: Edvard Griegs studier i musikkteori |
| 2016 |
BA in Musicology – University of Oslo
Minor: Nordic language and literature |
Work experience
| From | To | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | Lecturer in music theory – Mälardalen University |
| 2022 | 2024 | Researcher / Project manager – The Norwegian Academy of Music |
| 2019 | 2022 | Research fellow – The Norwegian Academy of Music |
| 2018 | 2018 | Research assistant – Centre for Grieg Research, University of Bergen |
| 2018 | 2018 | Guide – Edvard Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen (KODE) |
| 2014 | — | Arranger and composer – Freelance |
| 2012 | 2013 | Conductor – Grinde skulemusikkorps |
| 2008 | 2010 | Percussion teacher – Hauge skolekorps |
Journal service
| From | To | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Associate editor – Studia Musicologica Norvegica |
Departemental/university service
| From | To | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | Member of the library committee – The Norwegian Academy of Music |
| 2020 | 2021 | Member of the research ethics committee – The Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Oslo National Academy of the Arts & MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society |
| 2020 | 2021 | Member of the research and development committee – The Norwegian Academy of Music |
| 2017 | 2018 | Student representative of the music theory and music technology studies committee – The Norwegian Academy of Music |
Society memberships
| From | To | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | Society for Music Theory |
| 2021 | — | Society for Music Analysis |
| 2019 | — | Norwegian Musicological Society |
| 2013 | — | TONO |
Other experience
On several occasions I have worked as a substitute teacher in music history at high school level (Skeisvang vgs. and Foss vgs.). During the spring of 2019, I was hired as a consultant on Grieg for the EU-supported project European Music Trails. I have also worked part-time in different electronic shops for almost 10 years, mainly in the computer section and as a PC technician: Lefdal Haugesund (2010–2012), Eplehuset Haugesund (2012–2013) and Expert/Power City (2013–2019).