Power Harmonies
Lynn Noel and Ken Mattsson
Striking and soul-stirring duo harmonies in the English, Nordic, and Celtic traditions, with dance tunes and airs from New England and Michigan to the Maritimes on hammered and mountain dulcimer.
Lynn and Ken sing with depth, power, and passionate attention to the spirit in the song. As experienced dancers of contra, English country, and Scandinavian gammaldans, their duo sound can be described as "ballroom dancing for the voice." They are noted for inspiring harmonies and making the rafters ring.
Lynn and Ken offer a teaching workshop on Vocal Couple Dancing, as well as Power Harmonies in concert or as a song circle. Their New England Folk Festival sessions are typically standing room only.
Ken Mattsson honed his rich and powerful voice with eleven years as lead tenor with Boston's Scandinavian choral ensemble Stämbandet, classical voice training in solo and choral works at Hamilton College and the Boston area, and singing treble with Norumbega Harmony and other New England Sacred Harp groups. Raised in Maynard, MA to Swedish and Newfoundlander parents, Ken's vocal style blends the subtle aesthetics of Nordic music with the foursquare harmonies of sacred harp, West Gallery music, and New England hymns. Ken has appeared as a tenor soloist with various church and choral groups. In the dulcimer community, Ken is a passionate enthusiast and an accomplished leader both onstage and off. He has played with the contra dance band Roaring Jelly, writes for Dulcimer Players News, and serves as the founder and chair of the Bay Path Hammered Dulcimer Festival and leader of the Massachusetts Bay Dulcimer Society.