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From 23 to 27 February, the University of Agder and the CreaTeME Centre of Excellence in Music Education at the Department of Popular Music will host Creative Synergies 2026, an intensive week of seminars, group work, and performances in Kristiansand, Norway.
The event brings together students, artists, educators and researchers with the aim of creating new work, developing and sharing innovative pedagogical methods, and exploring new forms of collaboration in higher music education.
Magne Furuholmen and Apparatjik at UiA
One of the highlights of the week is the participation of Magne Furuholmen, UiA’s Honorary Doctor in the Arts. The musician and artist, best known as a member of a-ha, will take part throughout the entire week. He will be joined by Jonas Bjerre (Mew) and producer songwriter Martin Terefe, all members of the collective Apparatjik.
“This is a rare opportunity for our students to work closely with artists who have shaped popular culture while also working experimentally across artistic expressions. The fact that Magne Furuholmen is coming here and bringing Jonas Bjerre and Martin Terefe for a full week with the students says a great deal about the level of ambition behind this initiative,” says Professor Karl Oluf Wennerberg, who collaborates closely with Furuholmen and is the drummer in a-ha.
Technology and creativity
An international meeting place
Creative Synergies 2026 is a creative academic week that brings together participants and contributors from England, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Canada, the United States and Norway. The participants include artists, educators, researchers and students.
Creative Synergies is organised by UiA and CreaTeME, UiA’s Centre for Excellence in Education. CreaTeME stands for Creative Use of Technology in Music Education and focuses on four key areas: pedagogy, artistic practice, professionalism and sustainability.
Another notable name in the programme is Robert Henke. The German artist is the co developer of Ableton Live, the world’s most widely used music production tool, and is well known for his part in Monolake. Henke will take part in an artist talk as well as perform his concert Dust.
In the same part of the programme, producer Carmen Villain and flautist Johanna Scheie Orellana will discuss how they have created a unique sonic universe together.
“When these artists are actually here, students encounter two sides of the same development: how tools shape artistic practice, and how technology can be used to expand human expression. This is particularly relevant at a time when generative AI is making many digital workflows more standardised,” says Andreas Waaler Røshol, Associate Professor at UiA and head of Creative Synergies 2026.
Creative expression and future challenges
The week opens with two joint seminar days featuring contributions from both artists and academics. After this, students work within a range of thematic tracks focusing on film music, songwriting, band production and live performance, as well as cross aesthetic projects.
On Thursday and Friday, the week concludes with presentations of the group projects.
While the students work on their projects, case based roundtable discussions will address current challenges in music education. The conversations will inform further research and development in the field.
Practical Information
Date: 23–27 February 2026 (Week 9)
Venue: Kraftverk, Skippergata 24B, 4611 Kristiansand
Organiser: UiA / CreaTeME (Centre for Excellence in Education)
Programme: Artist talks, roundtable discussions, concerts, thematic group work and presentations
Participation: Free for students and staff. Register for Creative Synergies here.
Contact person:
- andreas.roshol@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 24 32