Podium – a collaboration with the entire field

On May 8, 2025, representatives from all over Norway met at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet to listen to the finalists in Podium's very first admission round. The level of the young artists was sky-high, and it was with great pleasure that the jury selected three participants for the program's pilot period.

Participants 2025-2027

Alma Serafin Kraggerud, Clara Yuna Friedensburg and Sophie Kauer

Jury members

• Catharina Roos Bilsbak, former program director of the Arctic Philharmonic

• Ingerine Dahl, violinist

• Lars Petter Hagen, festival director of the Bergen International Festival

• Tine Thing Helseth, trumpeter

• Kathryn Hjelsvold, Program Director, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

• Thormod Rønning Kvam, artistic director of the Aulaseriene

• Geir Nordeng, program director Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra

• Barbara Peters, program manager, Norwegian Wind Ensemble

• Eirik Raude, festival director Risør Chamber Music Festival

• Sigurd Sandmo, director Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

• Alex Taylor, Artistic Director, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

Talent Norway's administration

• Dorran Alibaud, program manager Podium & Conductor Forum

• Caroline Korsbrekke Haugsten, strategic advisor

• Jørn Pedersen, specialist resource for classical music

• Nora Dahl Nilsen, program coordinator Podium & Conductor's Forum

Facts about Podium

Podium is a new career development program for young, top-level classical performers who are in the process of establishing a professional career. The program is run as a collaboration between Talent Norge and leading professionals in the classical music field, and is financially supported by Sparebankstiftelsen DNB.

Photo: Sveinung Bjorå