Welcome
Tusen Takk, a thousand thanks for visiting!
I am a Nordic musician, storyteller, dancer, performance artist, author, and educator. Born and raised in Minnesota, I live in Bdote, traditional sacred land of the Dakota Nation.
My work focuses on my Norwegian American heritage and healing inherited cultural grief. Enjoy!
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Summer 2025
Worthington International Festival
Worthington, Minnesota
Saturday July 12, 2025
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Sacred Tones: A Nature Instrument Journey - Nature Instruments
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Blowing through bones, animal horns, and hollow branches delivers three universal tones. Old Norse poetry names the three giant howlers of creation.
Hear sacred songs of the Northlands through overtone flutes, swan and sheep bones, cow and goat horns, and the mighty pine and birch lur!
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Kari hosts: Nordic Music and Pop-up Dance - Norway House 913 East Franklin Avenue Mpls
Third Thursday at Hygge Happy Hour 5-7pm in the Gallery - Free/Spellmanspeng Welcome (Tips for Musicians)
July 17 - Featuring Art Bjorngjeld!
Traditional Scandinavian music was passed down through Art's family and he shares it broadly throughout the Midwest and Scandinavia. You may have seen Art on Prairie PBS when they visited Carol Sersland's Norwegian dance group Det Norske Folkedanslaget in 2019.
Art has played and danced with the Norwegian group for decades. He, Carol Sersland, and Kari will share this music and dance at the John Campbell Folks School in October. Art leads the dance band Button Boxers, favorites at Nordic Dance evenings through Tapestry Folkdance Center where Art is a founding member.
August 21 - Featuring - Twin Cities Hardingfelelag!
If you saw Prairie PBS story then you will know it was the Hardanger Fiddle, Norway's national instrument, that inspired the segment, Sympathetic Strings. This is an inter-generational group of both beginners and college fiddle teachers. You will want to come as much for listening as for dancing.
Kari will review Teleganger and the Schottische/Song "Bringebær" and you will hear it on hardingfele as well.
Hosted by Kari Tauring
Art Bjorngeld and the members of Hardingfelelag have been part of Kari's Norwegian folk dance life since she joined Det Norsek Folkedanslaget in 2006. Kari will lead a welcoming song circle and farewell dance, teach a song for schottische/reinlander and variations of the dance for one, two, three, and four people!
Kari will play overtone flute for Telegangar and show a few basics. Learn More about Telegangar
Nine Herbs in July
Tuesdays July 1, 8, 15, and 22 - 6:30 - 8:30
Anam Cara House Porch and Gardens, Powderhorn Park Area, Minneapolis
$30 single session or $100 for all four
The collection of Old Anglo-Saxon healing remedies and charms called the Lacnunga (Remedy) contains a beautiful section known as the Nine Herbs Charm. Dating to around 900 CE, this charm has been pondered and studied for 1100 years. Join us on four Tuesdays in July, 2025 as we build relationships with these nine plants and the ancient poetry that honors them.
These sessions are great for beginners and those who want to go deeper. We will meet in the Anam Cara back porch and gardens where these nine herbs grow. We will read, sing, and move together as we honor these healing companions in an ancient way. Bring a pencil and paper to take notes and make drawings of our plant kin!
Please contact Kari with question at karitauring@gmail.com
Norway House Workshops 2025 - 2026
Overtone Flute - August 7 - 4 - 6pm LINK
Hear the sounds and stories about the overtone flute while making one of your own from PVC pipe! Learn the difference between pulled core and a bored core flute. Enjoy videos from my teachers in Denmark and Norway. Hear the Folklore that surrounds these universal human creations. Try playing a few tunes on your new instrument!
Primstav Deep Dive - October 25 10:30 - 12:30 lunch break 1:30 - 4:30 (studio time)​
New to this perpetual calendar of Scandinavia? You will absorb a lot in the first session about how our ancestors in Norway thought about time from the Iron Ages through Christianity. This is a repeatable class!
Want to make your own Primstav? Have one you want to finish? This second part includes studio time, resources, and a chance to ask deeper questions about Nordic time!
Juniper lore - Saturday January 10, 2026 11 am to 12:30 LINK
Juniper is called Enebærbusk, literally translating to one berry bush. Along with Mugwort, it was among the first green things to surface after the ice sheets receded, uncovering Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is sacred, special, and healing. You will learn the stories, songs, and rituals with ancient roots preserved in Norwegian folklore. Join the fun!
On-going Dance Opportunities! September through May 2025 - 2026
Starts September 14th!
3748 Minnehaha Ave South, Minneapolis
6:30 - 8:30 pm - Small Studio $15/$12
Hosted by Kari Tauring and Carol Sersland - Pop up Dance instruction and live music every time!
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TC Nordic Dance - First and Third Monday Nights - 6:30 - 8:30
Starts September 15th!
Join us to learn Norwegian and Swedish dances - Every First and Third Monday Night
6:30 - 8:30 pm - $5 donation for rent
Thompson Hall - Marshall and Fairview in St. Paul. Absolute beginners are welcome!
Norwegian focus by Carol Sersland. Swedish focus by Elise Peters. These teachers share their life long love of these dance traditions with joy. Join us for camaraderie and fun!
For more info or to get on the mailing list contact: Carol Sersland - sersla@aol.com