Mikael Marin
5-String Viola
Mikael Marin (5-string viola, electric viola, violoncello da spalla) is one of Sweden’s most inventive string players and a driving force behind the legendary band Väsen, with whom he has toured the world for more than 30 years and recorded 16 groundbreaking albums. His compositions — including Flippen, Kapten Kapsyl, and Väsenvalsen — have become essential repertoire for modern folk musicians and are played globally.
A violist who isn’t satisfied with merely playing “second fiddle,” Mikael moves seamlessly between tradition and experimentation, drawing inspiration from Schöenberg to the Beatles. His blend of groove, harmony, and Scandinavian fiddle language has shaped a distinct personal voice. A national fiddler since 1983, he also performed in the World Orchestra under Leonard Bernstein in 1989.
Since 1994, Mikael has taught at Stockholm’s Royal Academy of Music, where he has trained generations of boundary-pushing folk musicians. His collaborative resume reads like a map of contemporary acoustic innovation, including projects with Jacob Collier, Kronos Quartet, Chris Thile, Darol Anger, Ale Möller, Ånon Egeland, Bruce Molsky, Dervish, Musica Vitae, and many others. He also composes, produces, and arranges widely — even co-writing the opening music for the 1999 World Police and Fire Games in Stockholm.
Mikael brings his deep musical knowledge, creative arranging concepts, rhythmic thinking, and pioneering approach to bowed strings — offering students a rare chance to learn directly from one of Scandinavia’s most influential and forward-looking musicians.
