Skye Consort & Emma Björling Bring Scandinavian Folk Music to Mayo Street Arts

The trans-Atlantic chamber folk group performs songs and tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, and more.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Skye Consort & Emma Björling, a trans-Atlantic chamber folk group, is bringing their unique blend of Scandinavian and Celtic-inspired music to Mayo Street Arts in Portland, Maine on Sunday, March 1. The band, formed in 1999, has performed and recorded extensively, and will present a program of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, and original compositions.

Why it matters

Mayo Street Arts is a welcoming community arts center that embraces a variety of musical styles, with a particular focus on folk music and dance. The performance by Skye Consort & Emma Björling aligns with the organization's mission to bring diverse cultural experiences to the Kennedy Park neighborhood of Portland.

The details

Skye Consort & Emma Björling's performance at Mayo Street Arts will feature four musicians from the band's Ode & Ballade recording. The ensemble includes lead vocalist Emma Björling, as well as instrumentalists playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. Together, they will present an assortment of traditional and original compositions that blend Scandinavian and Celtic folk music traditions.

  • The performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

Skye Consort & Emma Björling

A trans-Atlantic chamber folk group that performs arrangements of songs and tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, Québec, Acadia, and the USA, as well as original compositions.

Emma Björling

An award-winning Swedish singer, composer, and arranger who is the lead vocalist and also plays shruti box and percussion in Skye Consort.

Simon Alexandre

A member of the Orchestre symphonique du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean who plays fiddle, nyckelharpa, and vocals in Skye Consort.

Amanda Keesmaat

The principal cellist of Arion Baroque orchestra and Space Time Continuo, who also performs cello and vocals with Skye Consort.

Seán Dagher

The artistic director of La Nef who plays cittern/bouzouki, banjo, and vocals in Skye Consort.

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The takeaway

Skye Consort & Emma Björling's performance at Mayo Street Arts will bring a unique blend of Scandinavian and Celtic-inspired folk music to Portland, showcasing the group's mastery of traditional styles and original compositions that transport audiences across the Atlantic.