The beginnings of the Nordtrad Folkmusic Network can be traced back to the "LÅT" festival in Stockholm 1996 (Royal Academy of Music). It became a network in the NORDPLUS programme in 1999 after a meeting in Rauland, Norway (Telemark University College), of third level folk music institutions from Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Eventually (2008) the Baltic countries could also benefit economically from the NORDPLUS programme, although they could be members of the network before this time (the Nortrad event "RING" was hosted by the Viljandi Kultuuri College, Estonia, in 2000). Today the network consists of 16 higher music education institutions offering different study programmes ranging from bachelor to PhD level.

The working group, with one representative teacher or contact person from each country, plans different network activities to increase cooperation between the participating institutions. One important activity that takes place in different places each year is a Forum for all teachers and students to meet in workshops and concerts and to have pedagogical and artistic discussions.

Over the last years, the Nordtrad cooperation has developed radically. Nordtrad is proud to present the programme for graduate students, Nordic Master in Folk Music.

The overall goal of the Nordtrad network is to strengthen Nordic/Baltic higher music education within the field of folk music. It is done by:
Student and teacher mobility
Joint Study Programme
Workshops/projects
Curriculum development
Exchange of information
Other relevant activities

Coordinator: Annika Mylläri

Coordinating institution:
Centria University of Applied Sciences