PACK YOUR FIDDLE!

Are you ready?

Picture yourself spending your days immersed in Swedish fiddle music, learning new tunes, playing Polskas, and jamming with fellow fiddlers.

When you're not making music, there's plenty to enjoy: breathtaking views of the Stockholm archipelago, peaceful walks through pine forests, waterfront relaxation, and a spectacular spa featuring a heated infinity pool overlooking the water, saunas, and plenty of opportunities to unwind. And more, we've secured a whole section of the retreat center just for our group to provide ample space to practice, gather, and play!

Why Sweden?

Folk music is deeply ingrained in Scandinavia and we're so excited to introduce you to the  unique rhythms, unexpected accents, and haunting, almost magical quality of the Swedish fiddle tradition.  

One particularly well-known tradition is the polska, a three-beat dance tune with a distinctive rhythmic feel that can be both graceful and wonderfully challenging to play. Some fiddlers describe the Swedish folk as “sugar for the ears” because it’s not in a hurry like Irish music can be. 

Those who follow our social channels are probably already familiar with Sweden’s national instrument: the nyckelharpa, a unique keyed fiddle with a rich, resonant sound. (pictured here, next to a fiddle) Its strings and wooden keys create a distinctive tone that has become synonymous with Swedish folk music. (Laurel recently performed with hers in Kansas City.)

We've heard your past retreat feedback that you would prefer to have even more time to study the tunes in advance. So this year, over the course of 2027, those who have registered for the retreat will be able to join weekly sessions where we’ll dive deeper into the history and tunes in order to give you a FULL background before we gather. Details to come!

We're finalizing the schedule and the line-up of guest instructors, but we are so excited about this experience and can't wait to share it with you!