Trøndertun folkehøgskole

What Trøndertun folkehøgskole does

Trøndertun folkehøgskole is a Norwegian residential folk high school (folkehøgskole) founded in 1919 and located in Gimse, Melhus municipality, approximately 20 km south of Trondheim. Operating as a private, non-denominational institution under Norwegian folk high school legislation, the school specializes in music and dance education for approximately 150 students per year (roughly 120 musicians and 30 dancers). The program catalog includes seven core lines — Jazz, Rock, Instrumental, Singer Songwriter, Music Production, Dans forstudium, and Dans Four Styles — supplemented by a Valgfag elective curriculum. Trøndertun holds a unique structural position as Norway's only dedicated rock folk high school and is colloquially known as "Rockeskolen," having pivoted from general school subjects to arts-focused programming in the 1980s (rock line) and 2001 (jazz line), with the Dans Four Styles street dance line added in 2022 in collaboration with RAW Dance Studio.

The underlying technology consists of standard educational infrastructure: music studios, three recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and dance facilities. There is no proprietary software, platform, or AI tooling. Revenue is generated entirely through direct-to-consumer tuition: 145,000 NOK for a full-year course, 67,500-77,500 NOK for half-year autumn or spring courses, plus a 9,000 NOK single-room supplement, applied for the 2026/27 school year. Norwegian students additionally access Lånekassen (State Education Loan Fund) disbursements of up to 154,875 NOK per school year, with 40% converting to scholarship upon completion, which effectively subsidizes affordability without changing the school's unit economics. Applications open October 15 via the school's own website and the national folkehogskole.no portal, with rolling admissions and no fixed deadline.

The school is led by Rector Tormod Gjersvold, supported by department heads Bjørnar Søreng (music) and Birgitte Kaufmann Olsen (dance), and a documented management team covering finance, kitchen, operations, cleaning, and student welfare. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with no formal sales force: marketing runs through the school's website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and earned media coverage (NRK, Adresseavisen, Trønderbladet, Scan Magazine), supplemented by word-of-mouth from an established alumni network that includes notable Norwegian artists and supplies 22% of Trondheim Calling festival performers. Distribution is structurally reinforced by flagship audition-on-campus partnerships with LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts), Leeds Conservatoire, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and Bårdar Akademiet, alongside performance venue relationships with Rockheim, Rosendal Teater, Olavshallen, Dokkhuset Scene, Jazzfest, and an annual Berlin study trip with Hansa Studios recording sessions.

Name

Trøndertun folkehøgskole

Legal name

Trøndertun folkehøgskole

Website

https://trondertun.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trøndertun folkehøgskole is a Norwegian residential folk high school founded in 1919 that delivers year-long music and dance programs to approximately 150 students annually, serving as Norway's only dedicated rock folk high school and a pipeline into international performing arts higher education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Private Voice Lessons (Vocal) (EDAMANAB)

Keywords

• Folk high school education
• Music education programs
• Dance education programs
• Residential arts boarding
• Performing arts training

Headquarters

HQ city

Melhus

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees: Full-year courses at 145,000 NOK covering accommodation, meals, instruction, equipment, and study trip. Half-year courses at 67,500-77,500 NOK. Single room supplement at 9,000 NOK.
2. Government education support (Lånekassen): Students receive study support from Lånekassen (Norwegian State Education Loan Fund) of up to 154,875 NOK for school year 2026/27, with 40% converting to scholarship upon completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Trøndertun folkehøgskole is a Norwegian residential folk high school offering full-year and half-year immersive programs in music and dance for young adults aged 18–25. Programs include Jazz, Rock, Instrumental, Singer Songwriter, Music Production, Dance Pre-Studies, and Dans Four Styles, taught by active professional performers with daily instruction, ensemble work, studio recording, and live performance opportunities including an annual Berlin trip to Hansa Studios.

Product overview

Trøndertun folkehøgskole is a folk high school offering specialized educational programs in music and dance. The school provides seven distinct programs: Jazz, Rock, Instrumental, Singer Songwriter, Music Production, and Dans forstudium (Dance Pre-Studies) as core programs, with the upcoming Dans Four Styles program launching in 2027. All programs are supplemented by elective courses (Valgfag). The school emphasizes hands-on learning, ensemble playing, and industry connections, with an annual study trip to Berlin including recording at Hansa Studios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jazz line Year-long music program focused on jazz improvisation, ear training, and musical exploration using a listening-based methodology. Prepares students for higher education in jazz or improvisational music at institutions such as NTNU Jazz.
• Rock line Norway's only dedicated rock program in a folk high school setting, focusing on band collaboration, jamming, and the rock tradition. Students learn through oral and ear-based methods.
• Instrumental line Year-long music program for all instrumentalists and vocalists, emphasizing ensemble playing, ear-based learning, music theory, and songwriting across all genres.
• Singer Songwriter line Year-long program focused on writing original lyrics and music, developing artistic voice, and understanding the music industry. Taught by Spellemannprisen-nominated musician Maria Norseth Garli.
• Musikkproduksjon (Music Production) line Production-focused line teaching studio skills, music production, engineering, and live sound. Features access to 3 recording studios and hands-on training.
• Dans forstudium (Dance Pre-Studies) line Dance program preparing students for higher dance education, featuring jazz, modern, ballet, hip-hop, improvisation, composition, choreography, and yoga. Culminates in a full production at Rosendal Teater.
• Dans Four Styles line Norway's first street-dance program within a folk high school, specializing in four central street dance styles: hip hop, house, locking, and popping, with additional introduction to breaking, waacking, and vogue. A collaboration with RAW Dance Studio.
• Valgfag (Elective Courses) Supplementary elective course offering including Boot Camp, Trøndertun Fringe, Odins Impro Session, Instrumental Ear Training, Live Electronics, Studio Group, Music Theory, Jazz Theory, Arr/Comp/Notation, Entrepreneurship, Drum Bi-Instrument, and PA/Stage Management. Available across all programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22% of Trondheim Calling festival performers have Trøndertun background (13 of 60+ bands)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RAW Dance StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Dance Four Styles program. RAW Dance Studio, led by Trine Kjøsnes, provides instruction in hip hop, house, locking, and popping. Students receive discounts on RAW memberships and access to professional street dance community in Trondheim.
• RockheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational museum of Norwegian popular music. Music department holds year-end performances at Rockheim. Students gain exposure to Norway's music history and professional performance venues.
• Rosendal TeatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance department holds year-end performance at Rosendal Teater. Regular venue for student dance showcases and professional productions.
• Trondheim CallingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Norwegian showcase festival. Annual partnership: festival holds auditions at school, 2 student bands selected for main program, and previous students regularly featured. School called 'farmerlaget' (farm team) of the festival.
• LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaul McCartney's performing arts school. Holds annual auditions at Trøndertun for Norwegian students seeking admission. Prestigious pathway to professional music/dance education.
• Leeds ConservatoireflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBritish conservatoire holds annual auditions at Trøndertun. Provides pathway for students pursuing higher music education in the UK.
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK contemporary dance school holds annual auditions at Trøndertun. Opens doors for Norwegian dancers seeking international dance education.
• OlavshallenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrondheim's main concert hall. Used for student performances and concerts. Part of school's network of Trondheim cultural venues.
• Dokkhuset SceneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJazz students perform at Dokkhuset Scene. Regular venue for student concerts and professional exposure.
• JazzfestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual jazz festival in Trondheim. Jazz students participate in festival events, gaining professional performance experience.
• Bårdar AkademietflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOslo-based performing arts academy holds auditions at Trøndertun. National partner for dance education pathways.
• Birka folkhögskolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish folk high school with singer/songwriter program. Mutual student exchange partnership with at least one joint activity per year. International collaboration and cultural exchange.
• Hansa Studios (Berlin)coreOthersLegendary recording studio where David Bowie recorded the Berlin Trilogy. School rents the studio for annual Berlin trip, giving students unique recording experience. Artists including U2, Simple Minds, and Bowie recorded there.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD): UK contemporary dance school that holds annual auditions at Trøndertun. The most direct international degree pathway for Trøndertun dance graduates, with overlapping contemporary/jazz dance curriculum.
• Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo (Oslo National Academy of the Arts): Norway's largest arts university, common pathway for Trøndertun dance alumni. Far broader portfolio (art, design, opera, dance, theatre) but directly competes for the same top-tier Norwegian arts students.
• Leeds Conservatoire: UK music conservatoire that holds annual auditions at Trøndertun. Comparable in jazz/popular music focus; offers a broader degree-granting portfolio than Trøndertun's gap-year model.
• Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA): Paul McCartney's UK performing arts school that holds annual auditions at Trøndertun. Larger and broader in scope (music, dance, theatre, production), but overlapping student pipeline and genre flexibility.

Others

• Rockheim: Norway's national museum of popular music and a core performance venue partner (year-end concerts held there). Adjacent ecosystem player that anchors Trøndertun's industry credibility rather than competing with it.
• Trondheim Calling: Major Norwegian showcase festival where 22% of performers have a Trøndertun background. Acts as a funnel and proving ground for Trøndertun alumni, making it the most important ecosystem partner for the school's rock/music output.

Direct peers

• RAW Dance Studio: Trondheim-based street dance studio and direct partner on the Dans Four Styles line. Comparable in street dance pedagogy and instructor expertise, though operating as a commercial studio rather than a school.
• Bårdar Akademiet: Oslo-based performing arts academy that holds auditions at Trøndertun as part of the national pathway. Directly comparable as a Nordic performing arts training institution targeting similar students.
• Birka folkhögskola: Swedish folk high school offering a singer/songwriter program that mirrors Trøndertun's music focus. Existing mutual student exchange partner, making it the closest international peer in form and mission.
• NTNU Department of Music (Jazz programme): Trondheim-based university jazz programme where many Trøndertun alumni continue their studies. Most locally relevant higher-education music pathway and direct competitor for jazz-focused students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIjdD_QRZut_qjnFvR6gaUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/trondertun
• Instagraminstagram.com/trondertun
• Xx.com/trondertun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trøndertun folkehøgskole