Aina Helgeland Davidsen

Aina (1993) is a Norwegian professional classical saxophonist with her master's degree from The Royal Academy of Aarhus (2017). She is currently active as a saxophonist in ensembles such as Trio TrIvA, Scopelliti/Davidsen, Rakleverk, Duo Fivreld, Å overleve tanken, ERRATIO and much more. As a soloist she recorded her debut album THEN 2020-2021, which includes historical, traditional repertoire for classical saxophone and is available on all streaming platforms. Aina works on a daily basis as a saxophone teacher at music and high schools, a mental trainer for professional musicians, and as a Timani teacher. She hosts lectures all around the world as a saxophonist, mental trainer and Timani Teacher, including individual lessons.

She has studied with great teachers like Claus Olesen (DK), Johannes Thorell (SE), Johan Van Der Linden (NL), and received master classes from Jérôme Laran (FR), Arno Bornkamp (NL), Lars Mlekusch (AU) , Vincent David (FR), Jean-Yves Fourmeau (FR), Jean-Marie Londeix (FR), Ryo Noda (JP), Asya Fateyeva (UG) and many more. Aina started out as a 6-year old, and has since she was 8 competed around the world as a soloist and in ensembles.

In 2009 she won the Norwegian Championship of her age-class, and came in second place in the same championship in 2011. Aina has been a soloist with several orchestras: Drammen Symphony Orchestra, BISYOC symphony orchestra and The central Staff band of Norway. In 2016 she won the Ticon-prize, located in Drammen, Norway, and May/June 2017 she received 1^st prize in Stockholm International Music Competition. April 2018 she received The Norwegian State Grant for newly educated musicians so that she can study deeper into composition. 

Aina composes music for saxophone and electronics and has released a couple of recordings of this through Soundcloud, and has composed and performed all of the music for Å Overleve Tanken, who released an album in August 2021 on all streaming channels to donate money for mental health organizations. This album consists of five works for four different saxophones, strings, flute, voice and electronics. The plan is to release a second solo album  consisting of eight works for saxophone and electronics, NOW, released in 2023. In 2020 Aina released together with Scopelliti/Davidsen an EP of Rock Suite, 3 improvisational compositions for metal guitar and classical saxophone. Quite a genre experiment, and crossover - both musicians improvising in their expertise genre. The duo is working on releasing a full album soon.

As a musician and with her in-depth studies into health for musicians through Mental training & Timani, it has become vital and important for her to help musicians to a better health. Making it possible for them to perform at their best with great tools and great health, and at the same time get to enjoy disseminate what they truly want and desire through their instrument.

As a performer and saxophonist she thrives to give people music that makes sense to them, and maybe give something through classical music where they can meet some feelings, and experiences that are unique and not accessible elsewhere. Aina is always looking for new ways to introduce classical music to people in new settings, constellations and with lots of love. Aina has made it one of her true first missions to put classical music on the map again, making it something that people will go look for and making it relatable for the audience today.

Photo credit: Lars Bryngelsson