Kristian and Ruthie first met each other in the Danish folk music circles in the mid-1990’s, where Ruthie had been touring regularly and grown a reputation as a well-renowned artist and fiddler since the early 1980’s. Later when Kristian was a music student, Ruthie was guest-teaching at the Carl Nielsen Academy of Music in Odense, Denmark and Kristian made sure to take the opportunity to study with her while she was there. About ten years later, they met again in and around Seattle when Kristian had started touring and performing in the USA. They formed the trio 3 Fiddlers 3 Traditions with Métis fiddler Jamie Fox and have continued to meet and play together ever since. This summer marks a new chapter in their collaboration and friendship as they will be touring and recording as a duo the first time, excitements are running high!

The repertoire will span from Danish traditional fiddle tunes and music from the other Nordic countries to old-time American and self-composed original tunes, possibly spiced up with a few Venezuelan waltzes. Music learned directly from folk music legends like Danish-American Dwight Lamb (1934-2024), Danish accordion player Karl Skaarup (1924-2013), fiddler Peter Uhrbrand from the Danish island of Fanø and many more.

Expect everything from wild polkas and jigs to lyrical waltzes, fiery reels and happy hopsas, all served with humor and stories from their many years on the road.

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Kristian Bugge (fiddle) is very active on the Danish and Scandinavian folk music scene, both as a musician and teacher. Kristian has specialized in the strong Danish folk music traditions, playing with groups like Jensen & Bugge, Morten Alfred & Vingården, Baltic Crossing and Gangspil. Through his master’s degree from the Carl Nielsen Academy of Music, he specialized in the unique regional styles from many corners of Denmark, at a level that very few of his generation can match or master today. He has continued this work also after his official studies ended and is today one of the most award-winning folk artists in Denmark.

Recent years have also led to various crossover projects such as the cooperation with classical percussionist Ronni Kot Wenzel in the very active duo Wenzell & Bugge and the exciting Danish folk big band Habadekuk. In 2004 Kristian Bugge became the first musician ever to receive the Radium Award, awarded by the Danish Radio's P2. Since then he has received no less than 10 Danish Music Awards (Danish Grammys) both as a soloist and with his groups. To mention a few ”Danish Folk Artist of the Year” in both 2011 and 2016 and latest the "Tradition Award" with Gangspil at the Danish Music Awards 2024! http://www.kristianbugge.com

Seattle-based fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld has performed and taught for over thirty years at festivals, schools, music and dance camps throughout the U.S. and abroad, from the Manaus Operahouse in the Brazilian Amazon to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Originally from Oregon, Ruthie started out with classical violin, then discovered fiddle music at age 18 and began her lifelong exploration of traditional fiddle music. She spent 15 years in New England, where she attended Berklee College of Music, was a member of the twin-fiddle stringband The Poodles, played at innumerable contradances, and commuted to Europe to play with The American Cafe Orchestra. Since 1996 she's been back in the Pacific Northwest, where she performs with the tango band Tangoheart, accompanies country singing duo Margo Murphy and John Roberts, and plays for local dances. Ruthie also plays a 5 string medieval fiddle (vielle), and her compositions for that instrument are featured in the recording "Lay of the Waves," for which she received grants from Artist Trust and the Jack Straw Foundation.

She is fluent in a wide range of styles, from Celtic and old-time to Scandinavian and Eastern European, and also enjoys chamber music and free improvisation. http://www.ruthiedornfeld.com

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The NMM Live! Series is made possible by the USD Student Government Association and the South Dakota Arts Council through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This program is made possible by the Maud and Mary Adams Memorial Fund.