Iowans have the ability to uphold their traditions
and their heritage.
I have Norwegian, Danish and Swedish
great grandparents.
And in 1975 I went on a special trip to Norway.
A woman said, "Oh, you're going home,"
when she heard my last name and I thought that was so cool.
My maiden name is Holven, a sacred place.
A lot of people say that Norwegians must
have settled here because of the rolling hills
and the bluffs and everything,
but they settled in places where they had opportunities.
I'm never gonna live anyplace else.
I turned into an Iowan a long time ago.
(slow music)
I came to Decorah, Iowa to go to Luther College in 1974.
After college I graduated and John and I stayed here.
I've been here a long time.
(fiddle music)
I played the violin in orchestra growing up.
I wasn't too good, but I found out
I loved fiddle music and when I was a college student
I went dancing out at the Highlandville School House.
There was some musicians playing out there.
I ended up apprenticing with the fiddler
and taking over when he passed away.
Playing this traditional music really connects me
to generations on both sides.
I was able to learn a lot of old tunes
from women who played for their fathers
or their grandfathers
and I also love how it connects with younger people, too.
There's a lot of young people that like to dance
to this old fashioned kind of music.
It's a chance for them to partner and dance together
or get in a group and laugh and be creative.
I really like playing music that kind of serves
the community.
We play for events that matter in people's lives.
(fiddle music)
I think we've been asked to play at Nordic Fest
all these years because people of all ages
like to come and dance.
Nordic Fest was created to celebrate the
community of Decorah and it's Scandinavian heritage.
There's a community in Decorah that I think
that they come back to town
so it's kind of like the reunion.
♪ This little light of mine
I call Nordic Fest the bottleneck of summer
because everything kind of crescendos up to Nordic Fest.
People are surprised when they come to Decorah
and they find out that it's not what they had in mind
when they thought of Iowa.
There's a thriving community with arts and music.
So we're lucky.
(audience applauding)
I think we've been asked to play at Nordic Fest
all these years because people of all ages
like to come and dance.
It's a gathering place.
(slow fiddle music)
(upbeat fiddle music)
(audience applauding)
(slow, dramatic music)
Iowans have the ability to uphold their traditions
and their heritage.
Iowans can be uncomfortable with change
but they tolerate it because they're practical people.
And they realize it's inevitable.
So they go with it.
I guess that's how I fit.
I love my community, I love my friends.
I belong here.
(slow music)