Eden Ehm
Violin
Hardanger Fiddle
Violin
Eden maintains an active and diverse career as an orchestral and chamber musician.
A classically trained violinist since the age of five, Eden spent her childhood accumulating numerous honors and awards throughout her school years. She continued her violin studies at St. Olaf College where she was a member of the world-renowned St. Olaf Orchestra. More recently, Eden was concertmaster of the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra for the ensemble's first three formative years.
Eden loves performing with others and maintains an active career as a professional orchestral and chamber musician. She is currently a member of the LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra violin section and is a frequent substitute for other regional ensembles. Her string quartet, The Rhapsody String Quartet, can be found performing everything from Beethoven to The Beatles throughout the tri-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Eden is passionate about making classical music fun, funky, and accessible to all, for example by providing live music for yoga classes and performing in other unique settings.
Eden plays on a modern Italian violin made in 1907 by Romeo Antionazzi in Milan, Italy.
Hardanger
Fiddle
The national folk instrument of Norway, the Hardanger fiddle or "hardingfele" may resemble a violin, but it is very different in design, sound, and traditions.
A native of Decorah, Iowa, Eden Ehm grew up seeing beautiful Hardanger fiddles in Vesterheim Museum displays but never dreamed she would play one. Her interest in folk music and fiddling began during her seven years as the principal violinist of the Decorah Nordic Dancer's Orchestra - an opportunity that allowed her to travel, perform, and share her love of folk music nationally. The Nordic Dancers sell a CD that features Eden's Norwegian fiddling on violin.
Eden began studying the Hardanger fiddle with renowned fiddler Andrea Een while at St. Olaf College, the only school in the United States to offer instruction and credit in this unique instrument. During her time at Olaf, Eden had the opportunity to travel regionally and perform; fiddling for King Harold and Queen Sonja of Norway in 2011 was a highlight.
A member of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America (HFAA), Eden received the Balchen-Hegge Scholarship in 2015 to pursue her fiddle studies. She has been a frequent teacher and mentor at the HFAA's annual workshop and currently serves as Secretary of the HFAA Board of Directors One of the most prominent young fiddlers in North America, Eden enjoys attending workshops, camps, and learning new tunes. She is most often seen performing at Scandinavian festivals or fiddling with friends. Eden is passionate about preserving and sharing this unique instrument and its music with all generations, especially young children and the elderly. She hopes to one day travel to Norway to study fiddle.
Eden plays on a 1901 O.G. Skogly (Haugen) Hardanger fiddle made in Krøderen, Norway. This instrument won an honorable mention at the Drammen Exhibition in 1901.
Read an article by Eden about the Hardanger Fiddle's Traditions.
Purchase the entire magazine for $5 here.
© Erika Skogg erikaskogg.com
The Rhapsody String Quartet
Formed in 2016, the Rhapsody String Quartet is
NE Iowa, SE Minnesota, and SW Wisconsin
tri-state area's premier string quartet. Adding elegance and sophistication to any event, we specialize in performing for weddings, cocktail hours, parties, and more. Our extensive repertoire includes traditional wedding music, classical string quartets, favorite pop and rock music, and personal requests. It would be an honor to provide the soundtrack to your special day!
