Elina Nygren is a freelance violist from Malmö, Sweden. Trained at the Malmö Academy of Music, she studied with Markus Falkbring and Henrik Frendin. Passionate about chamber music and improvisation, she is a member of the Vindla String Quartet and the cabaret group Cure-a-Phobia . She enjoys unexpected encounters and loves exploring sound and expression with other musicians, dancers, and performance artists.
The Vindla String Quartet is an eclectic ensemble that boldly explores a vast repertoire ranging from jazz, pop, folk, and world music to classical composers such as Schubert and Debussy. They firmly believe that a string quartet can be performed almost anywhere and enjoyed by everyone. Their creativity in choosing venues, collaborations, and repertoire reflects their ongoing commitment to making their music accessible to all, from children to young adults, and from the very young to the very old. Over the years, Vindla has collaborated with many renowned Swedish artists and musicians, including Tingsek, Moto Boy, Miriam Aïda, Nina Persson, Linnea Henriksson, Albin Gromer, and Emilia Amper. They also frequently work as studio musicians.
Cure-a-Phobia brings together four musicians with diverse musical backgrounds, ranging from jazz and folk to musical theatre and classical music, but united by a passion for experimentation and improvisation. With bass clarinet, viola, piano, accordion, and musical saw, they create a unique sound, tinged with jazz, pop, and a touch of cabaret, bearing their own distinctive signature. Cure-a-Phobia has released two albums: "Water" (2012) and "What's Kind About Mankind" (2014). In the spring of 2012, they created the music and dance performance "Under the Boat," in collaboration with two contemporary dancers, inspired by their first album.
