Beth Kollé Guest Recital, Lever Harp

The Circumpolar Music Series will feature Seattle-based instrumentalist, Beth Kollé in two exciting events! On Thursday, March 21st at 1pm, Kollé will give a presentation on Nordic folk music practices and on Saturday, March 23rd at 7:30pm, Kollé will present a solo concert on her very own lever harp. Beth Kollé, a multi-instrumentalist from Seattle, Washington, has followed her passion for traditional music since she first heard Nordic music in college. A Norwegian lovesong led to the world’s longest-running ear-worm, and opened the door to a similar state featuring medieval Norse ballads and Swedish polskas. Living and working in Norway for two years only honed her desire to share this music with the world. ‘There is something inherently honest about traditional music, especially the tunes that are polished by generations of voices, that have withstood centuries and still have the power to speak to our souls. I love that moment when I hear a new melody and realize I have just heard Truth.’ Beth is always on the lookout for melodies that take hold of her heart and imagination. She brings these melodies to the lever harp and finds the accompaniment that brings its best qualities forth. After many years of arranging, performing and teaching, and with eleven books of harp arrangements distributed world-wide, Beth is happy to find still more songs, dance tunes and ballads, just waiting to be discovered.