Year-round course (two semesters)

Jazz vocals

New course for jazz vocalists! This will be a creative and exciting year with a focus on improvisation, ensemble singing, and developing your own voice in collaboration with other vocalists and instrumentalists.

Sund has long been known for its high professional level within jazz, and we have seen a growing need among vocalists who want to develop within jazz and improvisation.

Now we are ready to offer a specialized study program that gives you the tools you need to take your vocal performance to the next level.

In brief:

  • Skilled teachers and students  
  • Audio-based learning 
  • Composition

More about the course

Vocal environment in Trondheim

The background for this line is the strong vocal community in Trondheim, with inspiring groups such as Trondheim Voices and Young Voices , which show how vocalists can explore the many possibilities of jazz in a creative and innovative way.

Audio-based learning

The learning method is inspired by the jazz program at NTNU, with a strong focus on ear, improvisation and interaction . We learn to explore harmonies, melodies and how to use the voice in improvised contexts.

Composition

In addition, you will have the opportunity to compose your own material – both for vocal ensembles and in collaboration with instrumentalists.

Individual growth

This the course is for those who want to delve into both technique and creativity , while giving you the opportunity to work on your strengths and challenges as a jazz vocalist. We create a space for individual growth while raising the level of ensemble work and improvisation

Professional program

What can you expect to work on?

  • Exploring the infinite possibilities and expressions of the vocal
  • Experiment with different techniques and styles within jazz vocals
  • Work on your own composition – both for vocal ensembles and collaboration with instrumentalists
  • Strengthen your musicality and improvisational skills through singing
  • Improve music reading and listening skills
  • Individual singing lessons with some of the country's best jazz vocalists
  • Tour
  • Have collaborative projects with instrumentalists and the jazz line
  • Learn from and be inspired by guest teachers who are active on the national and international jazz scene

We want to keep the line small and personal, with room for 8-12 vocalists , so that each individual gets the follow-up and support they need to develop.

What we expect from you

  • interest
  • involvement
  • participation
  • good collaboration skills

Sissel Vera Pettersen
Teacher, jazz vocals

Sissel Vera Pettersen is a jazz vocalist and saxophonist. She also actively uses electronics as a musician.
Sissel Vera Pettersen has been the leader of Trondheim Voices for many years, and is also artistic director of Soddjazz. She has a background in jazz at NTNU, and has also worked for many years as a jazz musician in Copenhagen.  

Heidi Skjerve
Guest teacher, jazz vocals

Heidi Skjerve is a jazz vocalist and composer, educated in jazz and music technology at NTNU. She is employed as a senior lecturer at the Department of Music at NTNU, has been a member of Trondheim Voices for several years, in addition to being a soloist in the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. 

The year at Sund was super important for me, both in terms of developing my instrument, but also socially. A year I feel I could not have done without.

Erik Wie Flaig

Jazz
I didn't realize the impact of being around music, musicians and friends 24/7 until after I finished. Being around music every day as much as we were is something I think you only get at Sund. I found that I and everyone else in the class had an extreme development as a musician and person during the year.

Nikolai Hansli

Jazz
At Sund I learned so much. Musically yes, but also so much about making friendships, living with others and just elementary things you can overlook, like breathing a little or just looking at small changes in the seasons. It was really magical to be able to have a year with so much music and wonderful memories. I will always be grateful for that!

Runa Kirby Torbo

Jazz
This school year has been absolutely great. I've had a huge improvement on my instrument and become much more confident in playing together, but the best thing about this year was really everything else. I've learned so much about things I didn't know I wanted to learn about.

Brede Sørum

Jazz

Students' annual plan Sund folk high school

The last day of school for the 2024–25 school year is Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Sund folk high school , annual plan for the school year 2025-2026

Sund Folk High School, Annual plan – school year 2025-2026

Year program: Fall 2025–Spring 2026

NOK 147 500,-

School fees include:

  • Accommodation in a double room at Sund fhs
  • All food at Sund fhs (four meals per day) - we don't charge extra for special diets, vegetarian or vegan food
  • The study trip - academic program, accommodation, food and transportation are included
  • Joint school trips and excursions
  • Wireless internet, copying and printing for teaching
  • Use of gym, training room, rehearsal room, photo studio, darkroom
  • Use of washing machines and dryers
  • Expenses for the vast majority of electives
  • Transport in connection with training
  • Administration fee at NOK 2 500,-

All lessons are free of charge.

School fees are not included:

Most of the materials we use in teaching are included. However, if you want to make something different/more/larger than what the teacher has planned, you must expect to pay for the extra equipment yourself.

  • Deposit for key and use of equipment at NOK 1 300,-
  • Single room supplement at NOK. 5 850,- (650 per month for 9 months)
  • Pocket money for personal consumption

Loans and grants from Lånekassen

As a student on year-round programs at Sund folk high school , you are entitled to study support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (if you are a Norwegian citizen).

For the 2025–2026 school year, you as a student will receive a total of NOK 151,700 in grants and loans from the Norwegian State Loan Fund. Of this, 40%, i.e. NOK 60,680, will be converted into a grant once you have completed the school year and have it approved. If you are a student on a half-year course, you will receive half the loan amount. 

Read more about loans and grants atwww.lanekassen.no.
As soon as you have a place at Sund folk high school , you can apply for grants and loans atwww.lanekassen.no.

Recording at Jazzvocal

We accept students for jazz vocals based on application and submitted demo. You must be skilled and motivated, so that we can put together a good class that can function well in teams.

  • We don't have an application deadline and you can apply all year round.
  • Write a little about your background, musical experience, and expectations/motivation for attending at Sund. You may attach a certificate from your teacher (can be uploaded to the same place as the demo songs).
  • Upload two songs where what you sing comes through clearly. The recording does not need to be of high sound quality. The audio files are sent digitally. In the application, you provide an email address. Once we have received the application, we will send you a link to the location where the demo songs should be uploaded.

Other admission criteria:

  • Age limit 18 years, exceptionally 18 years before the study trip
  • We accept students as long as there is room on the course you apply
  • We focus on motivation and interests

Application form

  • Send an online application
  • We'll get back to you as soon as we can
  • Write a little about yourself and why you want to join Sund 

Jazz vocals
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What former students say

I don't know if I dare say it, but I've learned things I'll never forget that have nothing to do with music. Tolerance towards different people, patience and understanding. I've confirmed who I am and my values. Not only in others, but also in myself.
Portrait
Torbjørn Kamfjord Eriksen
Jazz