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Artist in Residence program

The Artist in Residence program brings internationally renowned artists and performers to the Academy of Music and Drama as guest teachers. During the period 2024-2027, students at the Academy of Music and Drama will meet mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, composer and arranger Vince Mendoza and one other artist. The program is funded by the Sten A Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture.

The Sten A Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture

Artist in Residence 2024-2027

Martin Fröst

Martin Fröst is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost instrumental soloists. The first wind player to be appointed Artist in Residence at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam for the 2022/23 season, has performed with leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

He has recorded more than twenty albums, with a particular emphasis on contemporary repertoire and works written specifically for the clarinet. His latest recording, B.A.C.H., is due for release in autumn 2025. Fröst’s artistry is also distinguished by boundary-defying multimedia projects that combine music with choreography and lighting design.

On 7 November 2025, he will begin his artist residency with a major seminar. This will be followed in March 2026 by an orchestral production in which he will participate as conductor, soloist, and composer.

News - 1 October 2025: Clarinettist Martin Fröst appointed visiting lecturer

More about Martin Fröst

Vince Mendoza

For three decades, composer and arranger Vince Mendoza has been a leading figure in jazz and contemporary music as a composer, conductor, and studio musician for big bands, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras. His work has appeared on critically acclaimed recordings by artists such as Björk, Chaka Khan, Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, Melody Gardot, Sting, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. He has won eight Grammy Awards out of 38 nominations.

Vince Mendoza is composer in residence of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany, and honorary conductor of the Dutch Metropole Orkest. He is also conductor in residence of the Vara Konserthus and the Bohuslän Big Band. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic, as well as with various orchestras in Europe, the USA and Japan.

In addition to his position as Artist in Residence at the Academy of Music and Drama, Vince Mendoza is Professor of Jazz Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles.

In November 2024, audiences could hear the results of the first project with Vince Mendoza as part of the Artist in Residence program at the Academy of Music and Drama. Original music by Vince Mendoza and new works by students were performed in a joint project by the University of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Bohuslän Big Band, conducted by Vince Mendoza. The project, called New World/Old World and the concerts took place on 15 November at Gothenburg Concert Hall and on 16 November at Vara Concert Hall.

Anne Sofie von Otter

Anne Sofie von Otter is one of Sweden's most successful opera singers, with a distinguished and award-winning career spanning four decades. She has worked with legendary conductors such as Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado and Giuseppe Sinopoli, and with artists such as Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau and Rufus Wainwright. With an ever-changing repertoire, she has excelled in roles such as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss and Leonora in the world premiere of Thomas Adès' The Exterminating Angel, as well as Madame de Croissy (Dialogues des carmélites by Francis Poulenc) and Charlotte Andergast (Höstsonaten by Sebastian Fagerlund).

Anne Sofie von Otter is one of today's most recorded artists, with a significant catalogue from her long association with Deutsche Grammophon. These include the Grammy-winning recording of Gustav Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Handel's Ariodante, Giulio Cesare and Hercules, and a collaboration with pop star Elvis Costello on the album For the Stars.

Artist in Residence 2018-2023

Isabelle van Keulen

Artist in residence from 2018 to 2023.

A musician on the highest level, Dutch violinist Isabelle van Keulen. Her musical versatility has made her one of her generation's most appreciated instrumentalists.

"Getting Isabelle van Keulen to come and work with us at the Academy of Music and Drama is a great and important opportunity! We are pleased that with the help of the Stena Foundation, we can offer our students the opportunity to meet yet another top level musician,” said Petra Frank, Head of Department at the Academy of Music and Drama, before the collaboration.

Isabelle van Keulen with a violin — Isabelle van Keulen

Photo: Maike Helbig

Isabelle van Keulen has performed with world-leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic in Stockholm, to name a few. As a musician, Isabelle van Keulen is versatile: she not only plays the violin, but also the viola at the same high level.

She is active in the field of symphonic music as well as chamber music in all possible ensemble formats. Among today's leading violinists, she distinguishes herself by largely playing contemporary music. Theo Loevendie and Erkki-Sven Tüür are among the composers who have written concerts specifically for Isabelle van Keulen.

Isabelle van Keulen has made many recordings, including the Berg Violin Concerto, violin-piano sonatas by Strauss, Rota and Respighi. In addition to Western classical music, van Keulen plays tango, and together with her own quartet she has released an album of interpretations of Ástor Piazzolla's music.

Tango was also the theme of one of the student ensemble projects that Isabelle van Keulen participated in during her residency at the Academy of Music and Drama. She also worked with students in other contexts: in master classes and as a soloist in an orchestral concert under the direction of Henrik Schaefer, where the University of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra studied, rehearsed and performed Igor Stravinsky's Violin Concert in D major.

"We are happy to contribute to this initiative, which gives the students the opportunity to be inspired by such an established and appreciated musician as Isabelle von Keulen, says Madeleine Olsson Eriksson, Chairman of the Board of Sten A Olsson's Foundation for Research and Culture.

David Dencik

Artist in residence from 2018 to 2022.

The internationally renowned actor David Dencik became the first of three artists / educators who attended the Academy of Music and Drama within the framework of the program.

On 7-9 May 2018, David Dencik came for his first visit, where he held workshops and masterclasses in film acting for students. On May 7, an "artist talk" was also held for students from Valand Academy, amongst others.

Furthermore, David Dencik gave master classes for students in the fields film and performing arts and an artist talk open to the public on Thursday 31 January 2019.

"Getting David Dencik as a regular guest teacher means a lot to the actor students at the Academy of Music and Drama. The programs have a distinct profile towards film acting, and we have long been trying to get in touch with Dencik," said Catharina Bergil, Head of Unit for Performing Arts at the academy.

David Dencik with students from the BA program in acting

Photo: Magnus Gotander

David Dencik is famous for international big productions like War Horse, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. In the autumn of 2017 he did one of the main roles in the TV series Top of the Lake. Before his film career started 2007, David Dencik made a series of roles at Dramaten in Stockholm. He is trained at the Stockholm Theater Academy.

"It is good to be able to contribute to these exciting additions to the students' other education. We hope that it also further strengthens the Academy of Music and Drama as an attractive and internationally recognized educational institution," said Madeleine Olsson Eriksson, chairman of Sten A Olsson's Foundation for Research and Culture.

Ross Daly

Artist in residence from 2018 to 2022.

The acclaimed musician Ross Daly is a virtuoso on several instruments from the eastern Mediterranean region and Asia, such as the Cretan lyre and the Afghan rabab. He has recorded over 30 albums and performed all over the world. With the support of the Stena Foundation, he was a guest teacher within artist in residence program of the Academy of Music and Drama.

Ross Daly grew up in Ireland and the United States, and lives in Greece. In 1982 he founded the Musical Workshop Labyrinth in Heraklion province in Crete, today recognized as the leading institution in Greece in the field of modal and traditional music. Through concerts, seminars and courses, it has become a meeting place for musicians and students.

During his first visit to Gothenburg on November 14–16, 2018, Ross Daly worked with world music and improvisation students. Two additional longer periods of work in Gothenburg were added in 2019-2022.

"The fascinating thing with Ross Daly is that he has managed to immerse himself in traditions he has not grown up with. He has a deep knowledge and can give an understanding of modal music," said Thor Ahlgren, former student of the World music program.

Ross Daly with a Cretan lyre

Photo: Magnus Gotander

Ross Daly has studied local music traditions, mainly in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian peninsula. He builds his compositions around experiences and impressions from his travels. He has coined the term Contemporary Modal Music, that is, contemporary compositions that take inspiration from modal music traditions.

"Ross Daly is a strong source of inspiration for musicians around the world, and can give our students existential perspectives on how they can think as musicians and artists," said Jonas Simonson, former Programme Supervisor of the World music program.

"We are pleased to help the students gain access to world-renowned musician Ross Daly. Hopefully, it also means that the Academy of Music and Drama is strengthened as an attractive and internationally recognized educational institution" said Madeleine Olsson Eriksson, chairman of Sten A Olsson's Foundation for Research and Culture.