BIOGRAPHY

Bente Illevold (b. 1983) is a euphonium soloist from Rendalen in Østerdalen, Norway, known for her distinctive artistic voice and her focused work in developing new repertoire for the instrument.

Through an extensive career as a soloist, chamber musician, and project initiator, she has established herself as a clear and innovative presence in the contemporary music scene, both nationally and internationally.

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Illevold has been responsible for more than 25 world premieres of works for euphonium and has collaborated with a wide range of leading composers and ensembles. She has released three critically acclaimed solo albums: Klangen fra de dype skoger (2020), which led to a nomination for Instrumentalist of the Year by OPUS KLASSIK; Alene (2021) – the world’s first album featuring only unaccompanied euphonium – and Baut (2024), featuring music by Stig Nordhagen, which received 3rd Prize in the Album of the Year category from 4BarsRest. In 2024, she was also nominated for Player of the Year by the same publication.

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As a soloist, she has given a large number of concerts, tours, and masterclasses throughout Europe, the United States, and South America, and has appeared as a guest artist at festivals, universities, and conferences. Alongside this, she is deeply engaged in chamber music and interdisciplinary projects, including collaborations with The Northern Lights Duo, Rollin’ Phones, and Trio Krafta. Illevold is also a key advocate for new music and has made a significant contribution to strengthening the euphonium’s position as a solo instrument in an international context.

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Bente Illevold is an international S.E. Shires Company Euphonium Artist and was the company’s first female and European euphonium artist. She has received numerous awards and grants, including the Forsberg and Aulies Musician Grant (2021), the Drammen Municipality Artist Grant (2023), and a working grant from the Ingerid, Synnøve and Elias Fegerstens Foundation (2024).