Grand finale for artist in residence programme

In 2018, the Academy of Music and Drama at the University of Gothenburg started an artist in residence programme, with financial support from the Sten A Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture. Musicians Isabelle van Keulen and Ross Daly, as well as actor David Dencik have been part of the programme and were in Gothenburg for recurring visits as guest teachers.

- They are internationally celebrated artists! Creative, constantly exploratory, playful professionals who have met our students with dedication and curiosity. Of course, it is extremely valuable for our students to collaborate and experiment with these artists, says Petra Frank, head of the Academy of Music and Drama.

- Through the programme, students have had the opportunity to take part in valuable experiences, knowledge, and reflections. We believe that it has contributed to giving the educations an extra dimension and at the same time strengthened the academy's position as an internationally renowned educational institution, says Madeleine Olsson Eriksson, chair of the Sten A Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture.

Master classes, workshops, and concerts

Actor David Dencik has met the students from the performing arts educations in master classes and workshops. Together with Isabelle van Keulen, the classical music students have studied, rehearsed, and performed orchestral music, including Ástor Piazzolla's Four Seasons mixed with fragments from Vivaldi's work of the same name. The students in the world music and improvisation educations have worked with Ross Daly several times, including rehearsing music from Crete and the eastern Mediterranean that was later performed in a concert in Kronhuset.

Students and teachers have also had the opportunity to share experiences from the three artists' long careers. David Dencik is known for his roles in series such as Chernobyl, Top of the Lake and in the latest Bond film No Time to Die. The Dutch violinist and violist Isabelle van Keulen has played with many of the world's leading orchestras. She also specializes in Argentine tango music. Ross Daly is a virtuoso on several instruments from the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia. He has recorded over 30 albums and performed all over the world.

Final public events

During May and June, it's time to both celebrate and tie the knot for the artist in residence programme. The Grand Finale takes place in the form of four public events: 

• May 7 at 14.00–15.30, What does the actor actually do on set? A conversation with David Dencik.
• May 10 at 18.00–19.00, Performance lecture with artist in residence Ross Daly.
• 12 May at 19.00–22.00, World Sessions: Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma with students from the world music education. 
• June 3 at 18.00–20.00, Orchestra Concert: Mahler and Szymanowski. Soloist: Isabelle van Keulen.