Hugo Ticciati, violin and conductor, is the Artistic Director and founder of O/Modernt. Known for his boundary-defying creativity and expressive musicianship, he performs internationally as both soloist and conductor, with recent collaborations including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Kammerakademie Potsdam.

Ticciati’s artistic vision blends early music, contemporary works, and non-Western traditions, often featuring cross-disciplinary and improvisatory elements. Over forty new works have been composed for him by leading composers such as Erkki-Sven Tüür and Pēteris Vasks. He is also Deputy Artistic Director at Lilla Akademien in Stockholm and is a frequent guest at venues including Wigmore Hall and Kings Place.

Danish flautist Janne Thomsen is a highly sought-after soloist, a passionate chamber musician, a prize winner from international competitions in Prague, Paris, Bayreuth, Rome, Vienna, and Boston, and renowned for her unique artistic voice. Collaborating closely with leading composers such as Osvaldo Golijov, Olli Mustonen, and Peteris Vasks, she has recently been dedicated to and recorded Golijov's Esperanza in Francis Ford Coppola's film "Megalopolis."

In 2024/25, Janne's projects span from Lapland to Australia, featuring premieres with the Prague Philharmonia, releasing recordings with ”Mosaique Danoise” with Zilliacus, Brantelid, and Forsberg, and ”Vildspil,” which uncovers folk music from her native region. As founder and artistic director of the "Klassiske Dage" festival since 2005, she enjoys exploring artistic connections with her own narrative. Honored with an "ARAM" from the Royal Academy of Music in London for Janne Thomsen's contributions to music extend to support by foundations including Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik's Foundation and Augustinus.

She has taught at the Mozarteum Conservatory in Salzburg and has been a visiting professor at the Lucerne University of Music. She plays a flute, especially crafted for her, by the Peruvian/Bostonian flute maker, Miguel Arista.

Mark Padmore, tenor, has established an international reputation in opera, concert, and recital. Particularly noted for his interpretations of Bach’s St Matthew and St John Passions, he has performed as the Evangelist with leading orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Simon Rattle.

His operatic roles include the title role in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria at Grand Théâtre de Genève and Aschenbach in Britten’s Death in Venice at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. A frequent recitalist, he performs regularly with pianists such as Mitsuko Uchida, Julius Drake, and Till Fellner, and has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and major European festivals.

Mark Padmore has recorded extensively for Harmonia Mundi and Decca Classics and was Artist in Residence with the Berlin Philharmonic and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. He was Artistic Director of the St. Endellion Summer Music Festival from 2012–2022 and was appointed CBE in 2019.

Marianna Shirinyan, piano, is widely recognized as one of the most creative and sought-after pianists of her generation. Her international breakthrough came in 2006 when she won five prizes at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, launching a distinguished career as both soloist and chamber musician.

She has appeared with leading orchestras including the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Göteborg Symphony, and the Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, and is a frequent guest at major festivals such as Schleswig-Holstein, Schwetzingen, Bergen, and Oxford Chamber Music Festival. Marianna Shirinyan has collaborated with conductors including Zoltán Kocsis, Jun Märkl, Krysztof Urbanski, and Thomas Søndergård.

A Steinway Artist since 2013, she serves as Professor of Piano at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo and is the Artistic Director of the Oremandsgaard Chamber Music Festival in Denmark.

Bjarke Mogensen, accordion, made his international debut at the age of 13 as soloist with the Munich Symphony Orchestra in a televised concert on ZDF. Since then, he has become one of Denmark’s most versatile and prominent classical musicians. A winner of Spil for livet and the first accordionist to win First Prize at the European Broadcasting Union’s prestigious soloist competition in Bratislava (2012), Mogensen is celebrated for his musical curiosity and genre-crossing collaborations with artists such as Gidon Kremer, Tatjana Masurenko, Steffen Brandt, and Bent Fabricius-Bjerre.

As a chamber musician, he won P2’s Chamber Music Competition with his accordion duo MYTHOS for their interpretation of Stravinsky’s Petrushka. Mogensen’s repertoire spans from folk and classical arrangements to his own compositions and over 60 newly commissioned works for accordion. Recent highlights include acclaimed performances of DSCH with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Pekka Kuusisto, appearances at Southbank Centre and Bergen International Festival, and the honors of being named P2 Artist of the Year (2024) and recipient of the Anne Marie and Carl Nielsen Honorary Award (2025).

He performs on a Pigini Mythos no. 5, often described as the Stradivarius of accordions,

Sigurd Barrett is a Danish entertainer, composer, and author whose work spans genres and generations. Known for his engaging performances and educational storytelling, he has become a central figure in Danish cultural life, particularly among family audiences. He gained national fame through television shows such as Sigurds Bjørnetime and has since performed with all major Danish orchestras and toured internationally.

Barrett has written eight musicals, released 48 albums, and published 50 books—many through Politikens Forlag. His best-selling Sigurds Danmarkshistorie and Børnebibel have brought complex narratives to life for young audiences. In recent years, he has launched successful live cinema concerts and continues to perform across Denmark with long-time collaborator Eskild Dohn. Barrett has received numerous awards for his contributions to music and culture and lives in Copenhagen with his partner, violinist Heidrun Petersen.

Linda Suolahti, violin, is one of Finland’s leading soloists and a prominent advocate for diversity in classical music. She is the Artistic Director of the Kokonainen/Musequal Festival, which since 2016 has spotlighted overlooked works by women and minority composers. Her debut album Unrecorded., released by Alba Records in 2023, features first recordings of Finnish works by female composers.

Known for her ability to lead orchestras without a conductor, Linda appears frequently as a soloist and concertmaster with ensembles across Europe and beyond. She performs regularly with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, and served as concertmaster of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra from 2017 to 2020. Based in Helsinki, she maintains a versatile international career.

Sascha Bota, viola, is a Romanian-born violist based in London, where he has quickly become a sought-after soloist, chamber musician, and guest principal. He joined the Navarra String Quartet in 2018 and Britten Sinfonia in 2021 as associate principal violist. As a soloist, he has performed in prestigious venues such as the Musikverein Vienna, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Konzerthaus Berlin, appearing with Antoine Tamestit and AKAMUS Berlin.

Sascha is a member of the Oculi Sextet and Sakuntala String Trio, and frequently appears with ensembles including Aurora Orchestra, O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Academy of Ancient Music. His versatile artistry spans historically informed performance to jazz, and he recently joined the viola faculty at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.

Julian Arp, cello, is an internationally active soloist and chamber musician known for his expressive versatility and dedication to contemporary music. He studied at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin with Boris Pergamenschikow, David Geringas, and Eberhard Feltz. As a chamber musician, he has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, and the Berlin Philharmonie, and appears regularly at leading international festivals.

Arp’s long-standing duo with pianist Caspar Frantz has earned numerous awards, and his collaborations include world premieres by composers such as Samir Odeh-Tamimi and Sarah Nemtsov. He is also a committed educator and has held a professorship at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz since 2013.

Jordi Carrasco Hjelm, double bass, is a Swedish musician based in Amsterdam, specializing in chamber music and free improvisation. He studied with Olivier Thiery and Rick Stotijn at the Amsterdam University of the Arts and completed a master’s degree in Cross-Over Music Making under jazz violinist Tim Kliphuis. 

Jordi performs regularly with the O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra and appears as a guest artist at festivals across Europe. Notable highlights include collaborations with Gwilym Simcock and Nils Landgren at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, premieres of new works by Django Bates and Tom Coult, and performances at Festival Musikdorf Ernen.

Lars Colding Wolf, organ, made his debut in 2002 following studies with Lars Ulrik Mortensen and masterclasses across Europe. He has taught organ, harpsichord, and chamber music at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus for over 25 years and was appointed organist and cantor at Sankt Markus Church in Aalborg in 2024.

Wolf is the founder of Ensemble Zimmermann, with whom he has performed oratorios, passions, and instrumental concertos throughout Scandinavia since 2001. His discography includes Bach’s Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord and Clavierübung III, recorded on the Marcussen organ in Musikkens Hus.

Benjamin Davis Maack, carillon, is a Danish carillonneur and church musician. As one of the few certified solo carillonneurs in Denmark, he creates immersive musical experiences where sound and architecture converge. His repertoire ranges from classical works to folk melodies and opera themes, all performed with technical precision and expressive depth.

Benjamin studied at the Church Music School in Løgumkloster and completed Denmark’s highest-level carillon education. He is affiliated with Herning Church, where he performs regularly on the church’s grand Paccard carillon, bringing music to both casual passersby and dedicated listeners.

Freja Kirstine Bek, born in 2008, started playing the violin at the age of eight at Holstebro Music School. She has since studied on the school's talent track and spent two years at the Orkesterefterskolen. Currently enrolled in the MGK program, she looks forward to continuing her musical journey with plans to apply to the conservatory in the coming years.

Johan Thor has quickly risen to the forefront of young classical guitarists, performing at leading music festivals and winning honours such as the Soloist Prize at Unge Spiller Klassisk and Second Prize at the Aalborg Guitar Competition.

He now travels internationally for competitions and recently claimed First Prize at the “Gallery of Guitar” International Youth Competition in Scotland.

Currently studying classical guitar at MGK Midtvest, Johan began playing at the age of eight and is deeply committed to the art form, aiming to enter a conservatory next year.

Harald Haugaard, violin, is recognized internationally as one of the leading figures in Danish folk music. Praised by The Strad as a “charismatic virtuoso” and by fROOTS as “one of the very best fiddlers in the world,” Haugaard has toured extensively with his own ensembles and as a soloist, captivating audiences with his powerful expression and deep connection to tradition. His musical roots lie in Danish folk music, but his artistry bridges genres with originality and openness.

In addition to his celebrated career as a performer and composer, Haugaard has made significant contributions as a teacher and mentor. He was a long-time faculty member at the Fyn Conservatory and founded the Haugaard International Fiddle School. He has received numerous awards, including 12 Danish Music Awards and the Eiserner Eversteiner European Folk Music Award. His trilogy of albums—Burning Fields, The Fifth Sister, and Light and Decay—explores personal and collective stories through music, underscoring his role as a storyteller of sound.

Thommy Andersson, double bass & cello, is a Swedish musician, composer, and arranger known for his genre-crossing collaborations and warm, folk-inspired sound. Active for over three decades, he has toured extensively across six continents and contributed to more than 250 recordings. Thommy leads the Wood Blood Ensemble and is a core member of groups including New Jungle Orchestra and Josefine Cronholm’s Ember.

His compositions and arrangements have been performed by orchestras such as the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, DR Big Band, and Prague Symphony Orchestra. Equally at home in jazz, folk, and contemporary classical settings, Thommy blends improvisation with strong narrative and interdisciplinary elements in both his solo and collaborative projects.

Anders Mogensen, drums, has been a prominent figure on the Danish and international jazz scene for more than three decades. Described by DownBeat magazine as “the most subtle European drummer today,” he is known for his exceptional musical sensitivity and versatility. A Grammy and Juno Award-winning artist, Anders Mogensen was an early member of the pioneering band When Granny Sleeps and has since toured and recorded with jazz legends including Bob Berg, David Liebman, Steve Swallow, Marc Johnson, the Brecker Brothers, Gary Thomas, Tim Hagans, Matthew Garrison, Lew Soloff, and Ray Anderson.

He is currently a member of the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet, Tim Hagans Quartet, and Walt Weiskopf European Quartet. In addition to his performing career, Anders Mogensen is a dedicated educator. He serves as Associate Professor at the Carl Nielsen Academy of Music in Odense and as Assistant Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. He has led workshops across Europe, the United States, Japan, and Brazil, inspiring a new generation of jazz musicians worldwide.

Oskar Reuter, guitar, is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist with academic training in jazz and folk music from the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. Known for his versatility, he performs on 6- and 12-string guitars, cittern, mandolin, and nyckelharpa.

Oskar has worked extensively with Västanå Teater and is a member of several ensembles, including Goodland Trio, Anette Wallin Trio, and the folk band SVER. In addition to his performing career, he teaches guitar at Halmstad School of the Arts and the University of Gothenburg.

Artur Tuznik is a Polish-born, Copenhagen-based pianist and composer praised by Politiken for the “magical calm and adventurous depth” of his playing. A winner of several international competitions, he has performed across Europe, the United States, and Canada, and collaborated with leading artists such as Tomasz Stańko, Jeremy Pelt, Maciej Obara, Thomas Blachman, Sinne Eeg, and the DR Big Band.

His recent highlights include performances at major festivals in Denmark, Finland, Spain, Latvia, and Poland, as well as commissions premiered at Sommerfestivalen Lundsgårds Gods and Klassiske Dage Holstebro. As a soloist with the DR Big Band, he has appeared in live broadcasts and anniversary concerts at DR Koncerthuset. Tuznik’s discography features acclaimed albums such as Spring, Cascades, and Artur Tuznik Trio.

He currently teaches piano, composition, and improvisation at the Danish National Academy of Music and has led workshops across Europe. Tuznik studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, graduating with top honors.

Sanna Ripatti, viola, has been a core member of Ensemble MidtVest since its founding in 2002. She studied with Diemut Poppen in Saarbrücken, Björn Sjögren in Edsberg, and Arvo Haasma in Lahti, and has been deeply influenced by chamber music mentors such as Eduard Brunner, Ferenc Rados, and Tim Frederiksen.

Known for her sensitive and engaging performances, Sanna is also passionate about bringing classical music to new audiences.

In addition to her musical work, she is a trained psychotherapist.

Peter Kirstein, oboe, began his musical journey in the Tivoli Guard in Copenhagen before studying at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music under Bjørn Carl Nielsen and Ole-Henrik Dahl, later continuing with Jean-Louis Capezzali in Lyon. He has participated in masterclasses with renowned oboists including François Leleux and Thomas Indermühle.

A recipient of several honors including the Jacob Gade Music Prize and the I.K. Gottfried Jubilee Prize, Peter has performed with all major Danish symphony orchestras, as well as ensembles in Germany, England, and Sweden. He has been a member of Ensemble MidtVest since 2004 and remains active as a chamber musician on both modern and baroque oboe.

Ensemble MidtVest is a dynamic chamber group of nine international musicians based in Denmark, comprising a string trio, wind quintet, and pianist. Since its founding in 2002, the ensemble has gained acclaim for its expressive interpretations of repertoire spanning five centuries, as well as for its innovative projects in free improvisation and cross-genre collaborations. 

With around 100 performances annually in Denmark and abroad, Ensemble MidtVest has appeared at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, King’s Place London, and festivals including ULTIMA Oslo, Musikfestspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Rio International Chamber Music Week. It regularly collaborates with leading soloists including Pekka Kuusisto, Andreas Brantelid, Martin Fröst, and Trio con Brio Copenhagen.

The ensemble’s discography includes 24 critically acclaimed albums, with accolades including the Danish P2 Prize and a Gramophone Award nomination for Whirl’s World featuring works by Per Nørgård. Committed to accessibility, Ensemble MidtVest combines high-level artistry with outreach and talent development, reflecting its belief that “music is a right, not a privilege.” The ensemble is based at HEART – Herning Museum of Contemporary Art and supported by the Danish Arts Foundation and the municipalities of Herning, Holstebro, and Struer.

O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, founded by violinist and conductor Hugo Ticciati, is a trailblazing ensemble known for its innovative approach to classical music.

The orchestra explores fresh juxtapositions of old and new, blending early repertoire with contemporary works, improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The ensemble performs regularly across Europe, including residencies at Wigmore Hall and festivals in Sweden, Germany, and the UK.

O/Modernt has commissioned numerous new works and is recognized for its distinctive sound, creative programming, and a spirit of reinvention that reflects its name: “Un/Modern.”

DUEN – The Danish Youth Ensemble is a nationally selected group of outstanding classical musicians aged 17–27 from across Denmark. Founded in 2012 to continue the work of DRUEN after its closure, DUEN has since become a vital part of Danish concert life and a highly respected forum for musical talent development.

Known for its distinctive performance style and educational approach, the ensemble merges musical excellence with human connection and audience engagement.

Since its inception, DUEN has been led by conductor Morten Ryelund, who studied violin at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and conducting in St. Petersburg. He has worked extensively with both professional orchestras and youth ensembles and has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of orchestral musicians. In recognition of his impact, he received the Emil Holm Memorial Award in 2019 for his significant contribution to Danish orchestral life.

Orkester MidtVest is a vibrant ensemble based in Central and Western Jutland, uniting young talents with experienced musicians. The orchestra consists of a unique blend of MGK students, local youth from music school talent lines, and seasoned professionals and amateurs. Its youth division, Midtvest Ungdomsorkester, includes musicians aged 12–20 and performs under its own name, continuing the legacy of the former Viborg Amts Ungdomssymfoniorkester.

With its home base at Holstebro Music School and additional rehearsals in Viborg, Orkester MidtVest plays an active role in regional musical life, offering young musicians valuable orchestral experience while fostering cross-generational collaboration

Morten Ryelund, conductor, is the Artistic Director of DUEN – The Danish Youth Ensemble. A graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Music and trained in conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he made his debut with the Sønderjyllands Symphony Orchestra in 1996 and has since led all major Danish regional orchestras, as well as ensembles such as the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Stockholm Sinfonietta, Bergen Chamber Orchestra, DR Radiokoret, and Athelas Sinfonietta.

Renowned for his pioneering work in talent development, Ryelund has spent over three decades cultivating a unique and holistic methodology that integrates musical insight with psychology, leadership, and personal development. His deep commitment to working with young musicians has left a lasting impact on Danish orchestral life. In 2019, he received the Emil Holm Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to the next generation of musicians.

Since August 2024 the entire middle-school cohort at Sønderlandsskolen has taken part in OrkesterMester, a nationwide programme that brings the symphony orchestra into the school day.

All 161 pupils rehearse weekly as a full orchestra and enjoy an additional class hour in instrumental sections, guided by the school’s teachers together with eight educators from Holstebro Music School. OrkesterMester nurtures confidence, community spirit, school pride and sheer joy in music – benefits felt by pupils’ families, the school and the wider municipality.

MGK Choir, led by conductor Laurie Otto since 1997, is an integral part of Det Musikalske Grundkursus (MGK), Denmark’s pre-conservatory music program. The choir brings together talented young musicians and singers from across MGK’s classical and rhythmic tracks and plays a central role in the program’s vocal and ensemble training.

Known for its dynamic sound and stylistic versatility, the MGK Choir regularly performs a wide-ranging repertoire, from classical to contemporary and genre-crossing works. Many prominent Danish artists including Teitur, Thomas Søndergård, and Janne Thomsen began their musical journey at MGK, which celebrates its 50th anniversary as a vital training ground for the country’s next generation of musicians.

Laurie Otto, originally from Belgium, studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and holds a master’s degree in Innovative Choir Leading from the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. Under her direction for over 25 years, the choir has developed a distinctive identity rooted in musical excellence, expressive freedom, and collaborative spirit.

Theresa Jarvis, born in London, trained at the Arts Educational School before beginning her career with the National Portuguese Ballet. She later became a soloist with English National Ballet, Berlin Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet, performing an extensive repertoire and inspiring numerous original roles.

Today, she heads the ballet line at Balletskolen in Holstebro and teaches at both the Ballet Academy and the Danish Talent Academy in the same city.

Den Kgl. Balletskole, Holstebro er en højt profileret institution, der kombinerer kunstnerisk excellence med pædagogisk dedikation. Skolen tilbyder en enestående uddannelse inden for ballet, hvor talentfulde elever i Holstebro og omegn får mulighed for at udvikle deres færdigheder i et inspirerende og støttende miljø.

Med et stærkt fokus på både teknik og kreativitet, forbereder Den Kgl. Balletskole i Holstebro sine elever til kreativ glæde og mulighed for professionel udvikling inden for dansens verden.

Louise Juhl Dalsgaard is the author of eleven books spanning novels, short stories, poetry, and essays. Her writing explores human relationships—both nurturing and challenging—and how we position ourselves within them.

She is the Artistic Director of the Creative Writing program at the Danish Talent Academy. Her latest publication is "At tælle lilla", released in August 2025.

Kim Blæsbjerg (b. 1974) is an award-winning Danish author known for his powerful, socially engaged fiction. Raised in Lemvig, West Jutland, he graduated from the Danish Academy of Creative Writing in Copenhagen and holds a master’s degree in Danish literature. He debuted in 2002 with "Fælder", followed by the acclaimed novel "Niels Bohrs kærlighed" and his breakthrough "Rådhusklatreren" (2007).

His major works include the youth novel "Flugten", the trilogy "Desertørerne", and most recently "De bedste familiar"—a sweeping portrait of postwar Denmark centered around the Cheminova chemical plant. For this novel, he received the DR Roman Prize, De Gyldne Laurbær, and the Jyllands-Posten Fiction Prize. Blæsbjerg lives in Copenhagen with his wife and their two children.

Esther Asta Storm Knudsen, born in 2005, is a Danish writer currently studying at the Danish Talent Academy in Holstebro, where she specializes in fiction. She writes primarily short prose and brief stories, often marked by a lyrical and rhythmic style. Her work explores the intimate relationships between animals, people, and nature, blending poetic language with vivid imagery.

Jakob Stevns Lorentzen

Holmens Vokalensemble

OrkesterEfterskolen Kor

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