Geir Draugsvoll is artistic director of Nordaccordion, and one of the initiators of the festival. As an accordionist, he has played all over the world, and is well known for an innovative and varied repertoire. Not least his concerts as a soloist with orchestra have left their mark, and he has played as a soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra, Kremerata Baltica, Berkeley Symphony and many other world-renowned orchestras. In addition to being a musician, Geir is a professor at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, where he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a teacher in 2020/2021.
"Nordaccordion is conceived as a festival for accordionists from all over the world, with a focus on giving the younger Norwegian generation a social gathering point, and making it possible for them to gain an international perspective. This is achieved by the fact that young people and students come from the whole world, and by making it possible for the best accordionists and professors to want to visit Voss. The first festivals have been great fun to be part of, both for the audience, organizers and students! "
Kristina Farstad Bjørdal has her education from The Norwegian Academy of Music, and the Royal Danish Academy of Music as an classical accordionist. She works as a freelance musician, pedagog and journalist. Kristina is passionate about recruiting more accordionists, and getting the instrument out to a wide audience. Working with NordAccordion she will make sure that festival gets positive effects also in a larger context, and lead to musical and pedagogical collaboration.
"I am incredibly grateful and proud to be allowed to contribute to such an important festival as NordAccordeon. This is an important festival for our instrument and accordion performance, both nationally and internationally. The unique opportunity young performers have to have masterclass with some of the world´s best on our instrument, is absolutely fantastic. Absolutely unique!"