“Artistic Talk: Art, Activism & Authenticity”
Ellen Margrethe Røhr-Staff (Norway)
Ellen Røhr-Staff is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and an active member of Dansekunst i Østfold. She works as an artistic leader in several projects and is deeply engaged in developing new initiatives within the Norwegian dance scene.
Her artistic practice often exists at the intersection of art and activism, with a strong focus on human rights and mental health. Ellen currently collaborates with Direct Action Theater and T.I.T.S., and has long been committed to bringing dance closer to the public.
Since 2015, she has also worked extensively with young dancers and runs the regional youth company Østfold Dansekompani for Ungdom.
Topic: Artistic Talk: Art, Activism & Authenticity
Sophia Hugo Cabo (Norway)
Sophia is a freelance cellist and co-founder of Scandi Strings, a Scandinavian string quartet consisting of classically trained musicians from Norway and Sweden.
Alongside orchestral work and her own concert series FRAM, Sophia is actively engaged in developing new concert formats. With Scandi Strings, she works across genres – from classical concerts to pop productions and events – integrating electronics, visuals, and tailored visual identities into each performance.
Her talk will focus on maintaining artistic authenticity in a commercialized entertainment world, and on how classical music can meaningfully exist and evolve within contemporary, visually driven contexts.
NordSync Project 