Aina Helgeland Davidsen
Aina (1993) is an official Henri Selmer Paris Artist (2020), official JLV Artist (2022) & Norwegian professional classical saxophonist with her mastersdegree from The Royal Academy of Aarhus (2017). She is currently active as a saxophonist in ensembles such as Scopelliti//Davidsen, Lyslo//Davidsen, MUVIS & her own next soloistic album “GåMedHjertet”. As a soloist she recorded her debut album “THEN” (2021) which includes historical, traditional repertoire for classical saxophone & is available on all streaming platforms. Aina works, in addition to being an artist, on a daily basis as a saxophone teacher at music & high schools. She works as a performance coach & lecturer with professional musicians with physical & mental health with her background with studying mental training, and Timani (anatomy and movement for musicians, at The Musicians Health & Movement Institute).
With ensembles she has released an EP “Å overleve tanken” (2021) (“Surviving the thought”), an EP with music written and performed by her for saxophone and electronics to donate funds for Norwegian Mental Health organizations. Scopelliti//Davidsen released their first EP with fusion music (genres: classical and metal) fall of 2024, written & performed by them - INFINITY. Quite a genre experiment, and crossover - both musicians improvising and composing in their expertise genre.
Fall of 2025 she released her album GåMedHjertet, a collection of works performed and composed by her for sopranino-barytone saxophone, electronics and chamber-piano, available on all streaming platforms. As an artist she has performed on festivals such as Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival, Molde Jazz festival and many more. November 2025 she will record ‘Insaxo’, a new piece for soprano and organ, composed to her by Ole Karsten Sundlisæter. Insaxo is a contemporary piece that consists of three movements, and is a colorful piece of music with lots of wholescales and adventurous rhythms.
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. . She is currently writing soloistic works and ensemble pieces to embroid and expand the repertoire of classical saxophone.
Early background, and awards
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 recieved 1st prize in Stockholm International Music Competition. April 2018 she recieved The Norwegian State Grant for newly educated musicians so that she can study deeper into composition. Aina has studied with prominent teachers like Claus Olesen (DK), Johannes Thorell (SE), Johan Van Der Linden (NL), and received masterclass from Jérôme Laran (FR) Arno Bornkamp (NL), Lars Mlekusch (AU) , Vincent David (FR), Jean-Yves Fourmeau (FR), Jean-Marie Londeix (FR), Ryo Noda (JP) 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
