About us

Olav Mjelva is co-founder of the Folk Music Academy and an internationally touring musician. He performs with acclaimed projects such as The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, SVER, Lodestar Trio, Rydvall/Mjelva, and Afargang.

A sought-after recording artist, Olav regularly works on albums as well as music for TV series, films, and games. His main instruments are fiddle and Hardanger fiddle, and he also plays guitar, bass, and a wide range of string instruments. At the Folk Music Academy, he shares his expertise through dedicated fiddle and Hardanger fiddle courses.

Jens Linell is co-founder and lead video editor at the Folk Music Academy. A seasoned musician from Östersund, Jens brings his deep understanding of rhythm, tradition, and musical expression to everything he does. He designs and edits the video lessons that form the heart of the Academy’s online learning experience, helping students around the world access high-quality folk music education. 

Before his work with the Academy, Jens built a rich career as a performer on the Nordic folk scene. Originally introduced to music at a young age, he has become known as one of the most expressive percussionists in traditional music today, blending influences from jazz, rock, and folk into his approach and often “following the melody wherever it goes.” 

Jens is a touring musician with ensembles such as SVER, GKN5, and Mæd Luggumt, and he also performs solo. Whether on stage or behind the camera, his work champions creativity, tradition, and a melodic approach to rhythm.

Martin Hietkamp is the technical lead and one of the co-founders of the Folk Music Academy. Based in Stadskanaal in the north-east of the Netherlands, he built the Academy’s platform in Ruby on Rails and continuously develops new features to improve the learning experience for students and teachers.

A lifelong self taught musician, Martin began on piano before playing guitar in pop and rock bands. In 2017 he discovered folk music, learned to play the mandolin and immersed himself in Irish, Bluegrass and Americana traditions. Mandolin and guitar became his main instruments, later joined by banjo and Weissenborn lapsteel guitar. He then discovered the Nyckelharpa and Scandinavian folk music!

Alongside his work at the Academy, Martin performs in the acoustic folk cover band Folkyah, reimagining well-known pop and rock songs with acoustic instruments. He also writes original material and performs solo as a singer-songwriter.