Terje Isungset
Terje Isungset began with his icemusic in 1999. Prior to that, he had charmed music from other natural materials such as wood, stone, and native metals. He had always dreamed of making music with ice, but it seemed difficult to realize. In 1999, Terje Isungset was commissioned to perform icemusic at the Lillehammer Winter Festival. His work was composed for ice trumpet, voice, and ice percussion. It was such a resounding success that he was invited to perform not only in national television, but also to appear in additional shows at the Ice Hotel in Sweden and to take part in a worldwide New Year's Day broadcast celebrating the New Millenium. Subsequently, Erje Isungset recorded and sold a number of icemusic CDs. The first such CD appeared in 2001, and was recorded at the Ice Hotel in Sweden (Terje Isungset: Iceman Is.) He founded the "all-ice-records" music company in 2005 – an independent production company for producing music played exclusively on ice instruments.
His CDs: "Reise" - 1997 , "Floating Rhythms" – 2000, "Iceman Is" – 2002, "Middle of Mist" – 2003, "Igloo" – 2006. His next CD will appear after the Geilo IceMusicFestival in mid-January of 2009.
More information: www.isung.net
Sidsel Walstad
Sidsel Walstad is an exceptionally talented Norwegian artist interested in exploring new and exciting musical regions with her harp. In Norway, she is a respected musician who has already received a large number of prestigious awards.
Sidsel comes originally from the "Norwegian Opera Orchestra," and is currently working with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Furthermore, she is working independently on a number of musical projects and conducts various events in co-operation with other prominent Norwegian and international artists. She has performed together with such stars as Lionel Richie, Josh Grovan, and Katie Melua.
At the 4th iceMusicFestival at the Schnals Valley Glacier, Sidsel Walstad will be playing the ice harp constructed by Bill Covitz.
More information: www.sidsel.no
Lena Nymark
The Norwegian Lena Nymark has been working together with Terje Isungset for years. The duo has already recorded several CDs and given several joint concerts (at the London Jazz-Festival 2008, etc.). During the 2009 iceMusicFestival at the Schnals Valley Glacier, Lena Nymark sang to the accompaniment of Terje Isungset to produce truly wonderful tonal effects and music. Lena Nymark is possessed of an extraordinary voice, while Terje Isungset accompanies her with "crystal clear" music on the iceophone and ice percussion instruments.
Bill Covitz
Bill Covitz is the owner of "Ice Matters," a company founded in 1990 for sculptures made of frozen ice. But ice wasn't always his main interest: In 1991, he completed his training as a chef at the "Culinary Institute of America" in New York. For a long time, he worked in the finest restaurants in the U.S. as well as France and Belgium. After several years as a successful chef, however, he yearned for new challenges. Bill Covitz wanted to fulfill his artistic ambitions, and so he traded his stove for a freezing chamber. He now works in a studio kept at 12 °C where he creates masterpieces of ice. In 2004, he participated in the "National Ice Carving Association" competition in the U.S., and won the first place twice. At the "World Ice Art" championships in Alaska, he won the Silver Medal. In Norway, Bill constructed musical ice instruments for many years and hopes to continue doing so for many years to come.
At the 4th iceMusicFestival at the Schnals Valley Glacier, Bill Covitz will be responsible for the construction of the iceHarp.