Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir, violinist
Halla’s performances range from dance music of the 17th century to premieres of the exciting electronic compositions of today. Born in Reykjavík Halla studied modern violin at The Reykjavík College of Music and later at The Royal Danish Academy of Music where she completed a postgraduate degree. At the end of her studies she received a Fulbright Grant and moved to the US to specialize in baroque violin performance at Indiana University School of Music with Prof. Stanley Ritchie, finishing her P.D. studies in 2004.
Halla has commissioned and premiered various compositions and is the founder and artistic director of ensemble Nordic Affect. The ensemble’s work has earned them international recognition, namely a nomination for the Nordic Council Music Prize. Together with Nordic Affect she was chosen as Performer of the year at last Iceland Music Award and the ensemble was recently selected as Reykjavík City’s Ensemble of 2014. Halla has recorded for The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service and the European Broadcasting Service. Her playing is featured on albums from Bad Taste Records, Musmap and Brilliant Classics. The recordings have received recognition from the Iceland Music Award, the Kraumur award as well as Gramophone.
Other activities have included teaching performance practice at the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Halla has given lectures and written articles on music in addition to producing an early music show for The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Halla was the recipient of the Icelandic State Artist Grant in 2009, 2011 and 2014.
Halla has commissioned and premiered various compositions and is the founder and artistic director of ensemble Nordic Affect. The ensemble’s work has earned them international recognition, namely a nomination for the Nordic Council Music Prize. Together with Nordic Affect she was chosen as Performer of the year at last Iceland Music Award and the ensemble was recently selected as Reykjavík City’s Ensemble of 2014. Halla has recorded for The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service and the European Broadcasting Service. Her playing is featured on albums from Bad Taste Records, Musmap and Brilliant Classics. The recordings have received recognition from the Iceland Music Award, the Kraumur award as well as Gramophone.
Other activities have included teaching performance practice at the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Halla has given lectures and written articles on music in addition to producing an early music show for The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Halla was the recipient of the Icelandic State Artist Grant in 2009, 2011 and 2014.