About

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Ross Sutter is an American musician of 3rd generation Swedish heritage who lives in Minneapolis and performs at festivals and schools all over the United States. He learned many of his songs from his family, particularly his grandmother, and has also spent time in Sweden collecting music, songs and dances, and meeting and learning from many different Swedish singers. On his first visit to Sweden he discovered the Swedish Song Game tradition and has been spreading the joy every since.

In 2021 Ross will host a series of online song workshops featuring six master Swedish singers: Cajsa Ekstav, Eva Tjörnebo, Emma Härdelin, Agneta Stolpe, Anders Larsson, and Ulrike Gunnarsson. This is a unique opportunity to engage a wider audience while cultivating knowledge of folk singing traditions and community. Thanks to the American Scandinavian Foundation for their grant in support of this project.

Through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the American Scandinavian Foundation, Ross has been given this opportunity to document his work with Swedish song games and Swedish songs, and to set up this resource site for the free use of anyone wishing to use these games and dances in their own celebrations and festivals. 

Ross performs frequently at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis for their Midsummer and Christmas Festivals and at many other community festivals, including The Scandinavian Festival in Thousand Oaks, the Duluth International Folk Festival, the Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, the Nisswa Stämman, and for over twenty years at Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota. Ross also has the pleasure of leading song games and performing at the annual Midsummer Festival in Battery Park in New York City, with over five thousand people in attendance and hundreds getting up to dance around the Majstång (Midsummer pole). 

Ross has been featured in two documentary films: “Scandinavian Traditions” produced by Prairie Public Television, and  “Pretty Much 100% Scandinavian” made by Swedish film maker Stefan Quinth.  In 2012 he received the Sally Ordway Irvine Award, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of artists, educators, volunteers, philanthropists, and leaders who strengthen and enrich the state of Minnesota with their commitment to the arts and arts education.

Thank you to the  Minnesota Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment and the American Scandinavian Foundation for their support of this project.