About Us

Formed in 2017 to celebrate the Swedish and Nordic holiday of Lucia, Edinburgh Luciakör has become a cherished part of the city’s cultural scene. Each year, the choir puts on a stunning “luciatäg” (lucia train), consistently raising the bar with their captivating performances.

Doubling in size since its beginning, the choir welcomes both Swedish members and any Lucia enthusiast who’s able to sing in Swedish, and sometimes other Nordic languages.

Led by the artistic director Krissi Lundgren, every show is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation, bringing the magic of Lucia to life in Edinburgh

Ensemble

Alice

When I joined the choir in 2019 I was fairly new to Edinburgh. I wanted to explore my creative side and I found a beautiful, open minded choir who encouraged me to explore my musical side. My flower arranging, travelling and food styling is always accompanied with music and I strive to develop through creating. I believe singing together in a group, vibrating the vocal chords together creates harmony for the soul. And – Every week I get to relive my Lucia childhood memories with wonderful people.

Anton

I’m Anton, the Swede who grew up in Brussels, and am now a PhD student here. Despite such impressive qualifications, experiencing me being on time is a privilege with which few are blessed. I’ve been a part of ELK since moving to Edinburgh in 2022, but have been singing in Lucia choirs ever since I started school in 2005. I find it helps bring a peaceful Christmas spirit no matter how busy things are. I’m also a huge fan of innebandy (floorball), a northern-european sport you’ve probably never heard of.

Cristine

I’m one of the choir’s newest members—I made my Lucia debut in 2024, but I’m not new to choirs at all. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years singing, but when the time came to choose what to study in grammar school, I went with theatre instead. That path led me to a career in film, but music has always been close to my heart, so it feels fantastic to return to singing through the choir.

Elin

I’ve enjoyed singing since I was little, and have been part of different choirs from an early age. As the only remaining original singing member of Edinburgh Luciakör, I can’t overstate how much fun we’ve had together over the years! I even wore the crown of candles in 2023. Alongside singing, I’m an avid crocheter who is also into embroidery and baking, to name a few of my many hobbies. With multiple craft projects on-the-go at once, my house is often a mess. But that comes with having a crafter’s soul.

Fanny

I’ve been singing in choirs from a young age, in fact, my first ever job was as a chorus girl in a production of Evita at age 10! By my late 20s, my singing mainly consisted of karaoke nights, so I was really excited to find the Luciakör, allowing me to get back into singing while also connecting with home. When I’m not singing, you can find me trying (and sometimes failing) to be a know-it-all at one of Edinburgh’s pub quizzes, or playing tennis – as we Swedes would put it “hellre än bra”.

Hanna

I’ve been singing in the choir since 2022 and have been very fortunate to cite Tomten by Viktor Rydberg on all concerts so far – lucky me as it’s my favourite poem! Whilst I prefer the ‘oupmhy’ spring concert songs as part of Valborg, I’m a big fan of Sankt Staffans Visa and Midnatt Råder. A collector of many hobbies, I like gardening, hiking (Mountain Leadership Training on the go), cycling and yoga (bonus fact: I hold a Yoga Teacher Qualification after a month in Bali 2024).

Ida

I’m Ida from the ice-cold parts of northern Sweden! I absolutely love glass fusing, crafts and wild swimming. Whether I’m creating glass art, attempting to climb a Munro, diving into icy waters, or trying to convince my colleagues to do ceilidh in the office, I’m doing so while humming on a random tune (usually Scottish Folk music). I’ve been singing in the choir since 2024 because I missed feeling the festive spirit of Lucia and my favourite Lucia song to sing is Stjärngossarnas Visa.

Isabella

After moving from Hertfordshire to Edinburgh 2 years ago to study medicine, I was sad I wouldn’t get to take part in Lucia anymore back home at my Swedish school (I’m half-Swedish), so I was super excited to find ELK, and can safely say St John’s Church beats Milton Keynes IKEA canteen as a concert venue! Aside from singing, I play cello in a few different ensembles including Edinburgh City Orchestra, and I’m obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy & cats! My favourite Lucia song is ‘Så Mörk Är Natten’.

James

I’m a multi-instrumentalist and singer often found in the corner of folk bars singing or playing a tune. My wife, who sings with the Luciakör, recruited me to accompany her on a few songs in 2023, and I’ve been a part of the ensemble ever since. I’ve built my own banjo, and I’m also a visual artist specialising in watercolours and sculpture. My work (Instagram: james_stewart_art) is inspired by northern European myth and folklore and was recently exhibited in Edinburgh.

Jeanette

I grew up moving between countries, adapting to new cultures, and speaking three languages by age 11. My love for singing began in my grandmother’s kitchen, where her Chilean folk songs filled the room. She encouraged me to join the school choir. In Sweden, I loved preparing for the St. Lucia performance and end-of-term celebrations. Years later, after having children, I returned to choir singing, rediscovering the joy, laughter, friendships, and magic of blending voices.

Jessica

Singing has always been a big part of my life, and I’ve been in choirs since I was eight years old. I even attended one of Sweden’s most renowned music schools in Stockholm, which deepened my love for choirs. Aside from singing, I love travelling, long walks, or enjoying a Swedish fika whenever I can. I’ve been part of Edinburgh Luciakör since 2018, and it’s a real privilege to enjoy one of my favourite Swedish holidays with so many amazing people! It’s one of the highlights of my year.

Linda

I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, joining the school choir back in Sweden and then gospel choirs in my teens. In Edinburgh my husband and I formed an old-time americana band which takes us on trips around the UK and Europe. You often find me singing in the folk music pubs in Edinburgh. I joined Edinburgh Luciakör in 2023 and I absolutely love it. The complex and sometimes eery harmonies in traditional Swedish songs are beautiful and my new choir friends are a blast to be around.

Lisa

Ever since I joined the music programme at school when I was 13 (where I sang and played the flute), I’ve been involved in several choirs in both Sweden and Scotland. When I’m not belting out the highest soprano notes with Edinburgh Luciakör, I’m performing with the Edinburgh International Festival Chorus, walking in nature, or practising my knitting and yoga. Singing with this choir is such a privilege since I get to connect with my Swedish roots, while spending time with amazing people.

Malin

I have always loved being a part of individual voices coming together in a choir to make something bigger, and I have sung in many different groups from very large choirs to small close-harmony ensembles. I happily sing both soprano and alto parts, often in the same concert. When I’m not singing I am probably playing the flute with the Edinburgh Flute Choir or folk music with the Scandi-sessions. With my family I also host the Scottish-Swedish society midsummer celebrations at Niddry Castle.

Martin

My love of singing goes back to my childhood in Edinburgh, with a school production of The Mikado. Since then I’ve sung in many choirs and, since 2009, with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. A retired software engineer, I’m married with two children – one of whom is married to a Swede, which explains my interest in learning Swedish! I’m so happy to have been welcomed into the Luciakör in 2023: lovely people, beautiful songs (my favourite is Gläns över sjö och strand), and a deeply moving tradition.

Nicole

When I first moved to Edinburgh in 2012 I had little sense of belonging, but plenty sense of exploring. This search landed me a part in a Fringe show that started my steep learning curve into becoming a performer, and through singing I found my little home away from home. Now, after more than a decade on the Scottish blues and jazz scene, I am discovering a new way of singing, communing, and expressing my Swedish roots in the Edinburgh Luciakör!

Paulina

I joined ELK three years ago and I absolutely love singing together with this amazing group of people. Previously I sang on a few projects with the art gallery choir Rhubaba in Edinburgh. When I’m not singing I make sculptures and art installations, most recently in concrete and ceramics. My work has been exhibited in many international cities, including Edinburgh, London and Athens, as well as featured in several publications. I also teach Swedish as a second language at the Swedish School in Edinburgh.

Petter

Revisiting the songs that were part of my early life in Stockholm with this wonderful group of like-minded people is life-affirming. One of my favourite passages of our Lucia repertoire is the crescendo halfway through “Strålande Helgonfe”. The dreamy emotion in “Vårvindar Friska”, a song from our Spring performance, has the power to move me every time. I hope our work can convey some true Scandinavian magic to you, our audience.

Rebecca

I’ve been a member of Edinburgh Luciakör since moving here in 2021. Originally from Sweden, I lived in France for 18 years before settling in Edinburgh so joining the choir felt a little bit like coming “home”. I’ve always enjoyed singing, I used to sing in various schools and gospel choirs when I was young and I’m now also a member of another Edinburgh choir – The Phoenix Choir. When I’m not singing, I run my own company, Voxblock, creating screen-free audiobooks for children.

Sylvie

I studied classical violin in the U.S., then on a busking trip through Europe I found the Edinburgh folk music scene and never left! Here I became part of various projects that blend creativity and tradition (@peaksvalleysband, @some_strange_harmony, oceanterminal.bandcamp.com). I love the dark harmonies and hopeful lights of the Lucia concert. It’s great to participate in a Swedish winter holiday, since I was lucky to experience Midsummer in Tosteberga recently! I also like cats and flowers.

Therese

I grew up in a musical family with lots of singing and trained as a classical violinist in my youth, but I put all that on pause to travel the world. I got as far as the UK, and I’m still here 20 years later! Now I’m a research chemist (I mix mean cocktails!), I make my own skin creams on the side, as well as running a science communication firm. A few years ago I also unpacked the violin and now enjoy a good jam with my pianist fiancé. Singing with ELK is a joy and I’m learning so much from these talented people!

Thomas