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Lisa Bonnár Stjernø

Head of Department

Professor of music

Email: lisa.stjerno@inn.no
Phone number: +47 62 43 08 02
Mobile number: +47 90 03 36 77

Faculty of education
Department of Arts and Cultural Studies
Campus Hamar, Room 2A118

Short description

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-bonn%C3%A1r-stjern%C3%B8-1a196932/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lisa-Bonnar-Stjerno

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0403-1749

Head of Department for Arts and Cultural Studies, with an academic background as Professor of Music. Holds a PhD from the Norwegian Academy of Music with the dissertation Life and Lullabies: https://nmh.no/en/research/publications/life-and-lullabies, a Master’s degree in Classical Voice Performance from the Grieg Academy and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Agder. Stjernø led the research group Musical Communication and Leadership at UiA and developed courses there: https://www.kulturskoleradet.no/nyheter/2017/august/etterutdanningstilbud-musikalsk-kommunikasjon-og-ledelse-av-store-og-sma-elevgrupper. During the period 2023–2026, Stjernø served as Head of Studies and Professor at Rudolf Steiner University College.

Stjernø is a member of the National Research Network Sangbarsk for singing in kindergarten and school: https://www.krafttakforsang.no/person/forskningsnettverket-sangbarsk, and has conducted artistic research and development work on music dissemination and artistic practices with and for children and young people.

Stjernø has extensive experience as a performing artist and project manager, with contributions at institutions such as the Norwegian National Opera, the National Theatre, Rikskonsertene, and Det Norske Teatret, as well as at national and international festivals and concert venues.

Stjernø’s research interests and areas of expertise include:

• Music performance

• Vocal technique, diction, and singing phonetics

• Aesthetic learning processes

• Educational leadership

• Interdisciplinary artistic development projects

• Music and technology

• Music for and with children and young people

• The role of music in education and society

Research projects (selected)

2017–2022: Early Music in an Interdisciplinary Artistic Production: The Project Pluvinel's Academy. Artistic collaboration and development in cooperation with Professor Randi Eidsaa at the University of Agder.

2017–2022: Music in Children’s Ears: Research on music dissemination for and with young children in collaboration with Anne Kjeldsen at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and psychologist Gry Stålsett at the University of Oslo and MF Norwegian School of Theology.

Artistic research and development work (selected)

2017–: Exploraria I and II, artistic development projects at the University of Agder and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Rolf Gupta, David Hargreaves, Rolf Lislevand, Jan Bang, Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, Sigurd Hole, Andreas Ulvo, among others.

2022–2025: Sacre. Artistic development project in collaboration with the Church of Norway, Rolf Gupta, and Ellen Seiersted Bøttker.

2021–2022: Kutt / Det som ble igjen – interdisciplinary performances in collaboration with visual artist and art educator at the National Museum, Guriguri Henriksen.

Publications (selected)

Bonnár, L. (2025). Når vi trenger musikk som mest: Musisk aktivisme. Cappelen Damm.https://doi.org/10.23865/cdf.261

Bonnár, L. (2015). Lullaby singing and its human Bildung potential. Nordic Research in Music Education Yearbook. https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4899437

Bonnár, L. (2014). Life and Lullabies (PhD dissertation). NMH Publications. ISBN: 978-82-7853-089-4.https://hdl.handle.net/11250/4839034

Discography (selected)

Here are some recordings in which Stjernø has produced and participated:

Mellom liv og drøm. Våre vakre vuggesanger. Contributors: Andreas Ulvo and Sigurd Hole. https://open.spotify.com/album/3P8FaIO4w9GX6lkFyon8lq?si=LVuFh0L1Q1aAngBH5wbYKA

Under himmelen. Poetry by Hans Børli. Music by Audun Erlien, Lisa Bonnár, among others. https://open.spotify.com/album/4sPPSaAndZGlAdkdzvBPvW?si=WGMHs6xpSYiN-eJDc1Qf8w

En prière. Music by Gabriel Fauré. Contributor: Anna Valéntik. https://open.spotify.com/album/4wYG3xMQsxrrDG5kGXaTQa?si=za8yB9-SR6yOupvcea0wWA

Sacre. Music by César Franck. Contributors: Rolf Gupta and Ellen Bøttker. https://open.spotify.com/album/1q8mPQjqR4LDtrA7yXLkYI?si=J87PfmDSS3itqPFxS_Jnxw

Dissemination and societal impact (selected)

NRK Radio, Ukeslutt (2026): “Aiming to inspire more lullaby singing.” https://radio.nrk.no/serie/ukeslutt/DMTR02000126#t=1h19m3s

Store Norske Leksikon (2026). Art and aesthetics. Music. Vocal registers. Soprano. https://snl.no/sopran

Forskning.no (2025): Baby singing and happiness – the researcher’s seven tips. https://www.forskning.no/barn-og-ungdom-helse-musikk/babysang-og-lykke-her-er-forskerens-7-tips/2515922

BT.dk (2018): Lullabies are beneficial for your child’s health. https://www.bt.dk/arkiv/nyt-studie-godnatsange-er-godt-for-dit-barns-sundhed

Periskop (2017): The singing app leaves little to the imagination. Review of a singing app in Periskop, criticism of art for children and young people. https://periskop.no/author/lisabs/

ScienceNorway (2015): Absent-minded lullabying does not put your baby to sleep. https://partner.sciencenorway.no/babies-behaviour-forskningno/absent-minded-lullabying-does-not-put-your-baby-to-sleep/1403757

Publication list in NVA:

https://nva.sikt.no/research-profile/326517

Projects

Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2025). Når vi trenger musikken som mest – musisk aktivisme. In Holm, Henrik & Alexeeva, Anastasiya (Ed.), Estetiske fag i samfunnet. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202868673. p. 263–263. doi: 10.23865/cdf.261.ch11. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
The purpose of this study is to delve deeply into the potential of music for fostering social engagement, solidarity, and a sense of community. The study aims to investigate the societal contexts in which knowledge of music’s social and emotional power can have a clear and distinct voice. We acknowledge that music can bring people together across cultures, beliefs, and borders, and the study seeks to highlight both strengths and limitations within this context. The concept of “musical activism” refers to the conscious use of song and music in efforts to bring about companionship, social well-being and change. Musical activism constitutes a form of engagement that utilizes music to express engagement and viewpoints and contribute to social transformation. The aesthetics of music play a crucial role in this approach, as music can appeal to emotions and help convey messages in a manner that may be engaging and persuasive, emancipating, provocative, inclusive, and sensitive. The study may provide access to and establish a common language for diverse forms and expressions of musical aesthetics, raising awareness of this playful way of being-in-the-world facing social issues and mobilizing people into action. Musical activism can take various forms, from composing and performing songs to organizing music festivals that shed light on social issues. However, it is important to recognize that music does not necessarily provide solutions to the problems it illuminates, but it can contribute to increasing awareness and mobilizing people to act. This study is a contribution to investigating how music can serve as a peaceful means to raise awareness and foster engagement around social issues, and how it can inspire action and change.
Bonnár, Lisa (2015). Lullaby singing and its human Bildung Potential. Nordisk musikkpedagogisk forskning : Årbok. ISSN 1504-5021. 16(1), p. 327–378. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2012). "Mellom liv og drøm." Om vuggesangens helsefilosofiske betydning. In Trondalen, Gro & Stensæth, Karette (Ed.), Barn, musikk, helse. Norges musikkhøgskole. ISSN 9788278530719. p. 69–99. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Caregivers around the world sing to their infants and children. This text argues that parents’ singing lullabies for their children promote well-being. On the basis of 20 Norwegian parents’ experiences, interpretations, descriptions and assumptions, from the east part of Norway, this interdisciplinary text explores health qualites of singing lullabies in parenting, with particular regard to parents’ own innate or learned musical resources and musicality in the wide sense of communicating the vitality, meaning, sympathy, sensitivity, appreciations, motives, paradoxes, and interests of life. The text argues that lullabies can be an important, nice, natural, and necessary oasis in parents’ and the children’s life. Singing lullabies may promote emotional and mindful presence, sense of coherence, safety, and stability. Through musical, multi-sensory enactments, the child’s body and soul are “embraced” and “nourished” - by “caring love” and “sounds on the calm”. The act promotes comfort, nourishes the sense of self, and facilitates the fall-asleep-process under certain important conditions like “expressive timing” and “attunement”. The act represents an in-between state of play and practical concern, reality, and dream, where the child gradually turns inwards by means of the imaginative and creative “vehicle” of lullabies. The methodological approach consisted of collecting data by qualitative in-depth interviews, video-recordings made by parents themselves, and stimulated recall. Allowing the lullaby-event to come to the surface in its authentic, contemporary, and genuine setting, concepts and categories from health-, social, and philosophical psychology served as partners of dialogue.

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Holm, Henrik; Alexeeva, Anastasiya; Berg, Lise-Kari; Berg, Arild Skarsfjord; Bernhardt, Emil & Blålid, Kersti Fosse [Show all 26 contributors for this article] (2025). Estetiske fag i samfunnet. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202868673. 284 p. doi: 10.23865/cdf.261. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
I denne tverrfaglige antologien er estetiske fag i skolen et møtepunkt for kritisk refleksjon i samfunnet. Skolen som landets største samfunnsinstitusjon er en realitet som kan sette fruktbare premisser for en refleksjonsprosess der estetiske fag og samfunnsutviklingen kan ses i lys av hverandre. Bidragene i antologien viser noe av spennvidden i forskning på estetiske fag i samfunnet når de på ulikt vis skriver seg inn i og refererer til eksisterende litteratur i feltet. Hvordan kan estetiske fag være en arena der elevene kan gi motstand og øve seg i å utøve mot til kritikk? Artiklene viser at estetiske fag handler om å utvikle konstruktive og myndige perspektiver på et samfunn i rask endring. Felles for samtlige artikler i denne antologien er antakelsen om at evnen til å tenke selv utvikles i samklang med elevenes evne til kreativitet og utforskertrang. Synopsis in English This interdisciplinary anthology positions aesthetics, art and education in schools as a meeting point for critical reflection within society. As the country’s largest social institution, the school constitutes a framework capable of establishing fertile conditions for a reflective process in which the arts and societal development may be understood in relation to one another. The contributions in this volume reflect the diversity of research on arts education within society, engaging with and referencing existing scholarship in the field through various approaches. Central to the inquiry is the question: In what ways might the arts serve as a pedagogical arena where students can articulate resistance and cultivate the courage to engage in critique? The articles collectively underscore that arts education is concerned with fostering constructive and empowered perspectives on a society undergoing rapid transformation. A shared premise across all contributions is the belief that the capacity for independent thought evolves in alignment with students’ creative abilities and exploratory drive.
Bonnár, Lisa (2014). Life and Lullabies. Exploring the meaningfulness in parents' lullaby singing. Norges musikkhøgskole. ISBN 9788278530894. 404 p. Full text in Research Archive

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Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2026). sopran – Store norske leksikon. Store Norske Leksikon (Nettutgaven). Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Sopran er den lyseste sangstemmen. Toneomfanget strekker seg gjennomsnittlig fra enstrøken C til trestrøken C. Stemmen med litt lavere toneomfang kalles mezzosopran. Sopran brukes hovedsakelig om kvinnestemmer, men også om guttesangere med falsettstemme («guttesopran»).
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2026). Wagner-sopran – Store norske leksikon. Store Norske Leksikon (Nettutgaven). Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Wagner-sopran er en type sopranstemme som kjennetegnes av en mørk og dramatisk klang, og høyt volum som kan bære over et fullt orkester. Betegnelsen kommer av at de store heltinnerollene i operaene til Richard Wagner er kjent for å kreve disse egenskapene. Begrepet brukes også om denne typen sopranroller i operaer av andre komponister.
Holm, Henrik; Kunnikoff, June Oline; Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár; Ringvold, Tore Andre; Berg, Lise-Kari & Lindholm, Markus (2025). Panelsamtale: Estetiske fag i samfunnet - Hvordan kan de estetiske fagene være med på å utvikle elevenes evne til selvstendig og kritisk tenkning? doi: https:/www.oslomet.no/om/arrangement/lansering-estetiske-fag-i-samfunnet. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Opera under broen. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Hellige jul. Jul i Eidskog. ISSN 1500-2659. 1(1). Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Bel canto Ii trappen. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Musikalsk mindfulness. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Musikalsk mindfulness ses i lys av Inner Development Goals (IDG) og dimensjonen #Being. Det norske ordet som brukes er Bærekraft, og dette kobles til musikalske og psykologiske begreper som flow (flyt), kommunikativ musikalitet og musikalsk tilstedeværelse gjennom lydlandskap og indre stillhet.
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Yoga - gudstjeneste med levende musikk i Fagerborg kirke. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár & Valéntk, Anna (2023). En prière. Full text in Research Archive
Thorkildsen, J Chr & Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Vuggeviser - sensitivitet og tilstedeværelse i møte med barnet før det sovner. [Radio]. Podcast Surrender - J Chr Thorkildsen . Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2023). Fibermagi. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2022). Elvelangs 2022 - Opera under broen. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2022). Øyeblikkene. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár; Henriksen, GuriGuri & Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2022). Det som blei igjen. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2022). Øyeblikkene - forfatterbesøk på Deichmanske bibliotek. Full text in Research Archive
Gupta, Rolf & Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár (2016). Exploriara - intimacy in music. Full text in Research Archive
Stjernø, Lisa Bonnár; Lislevand, Rolf; Bang, Jan; Nystrøm, Rolf-Erik; Hargreaves, David J. & Gupta, Rolf (2016). Exploraria - intimacy in music. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Exploraria - Intimacy in Music A dialogue between singer Lisa Bonnár and musician and music psychologist David Hargreaves How can classical musical performers who play a repertoire from the distant past create musical intimacy with an audience today? This is the main topic of this paper, which will be explored through an open dialogue between the singer and artist Lisa Bonnár and music psychologist David Hargreaves. The latter has explored this field over the years, through practice as well as theory-oriented research, and he will draw upon new and old insights from the highly interdisciplinary field of music psychology, in close conversation with Lisa Bonnár. When we hear a musical performance, our different responses to it include emotions (positive or negative, powerful or weak); preferences (likes or dislikes), and judgements (high or low quality). How are these responses related to each other? And are they based mostly on the music itself, on the performer, or on the situation in which the performance takes place (eg in a concert hall, by a busker in the street, or playing as background music in a restaurant?) Music psychology can throw light not only on our responses to music, but also on the ways in which the composer, the improviser and the performer communicate with their audiences. It also investigates the nature of musical creativity and musical identity, as well as the many positive benefits that music can bring – to our thinking, to our social lives, to our emotional expressiveness, and to our physical and mental well-being. In addition, how can these psychological insights about how we experience and perceive music be used in a conscious way by the performers themselves? Or can theoretical or experimental complexity from the music psychology field only be explored in books and articles and not be manifested through a live performance? Intimacy in musical communication refers to the emotional connection that is established between the musician and the listener during the performance. It involves a sense of closeness, vulnerability, and connection that is created through the sharing of musical expression. Musicians can create intimacy through a variety of means, including their tone, phrasing, dynamics, and overall musical expression. By conveying emotion through their playing or singing, they can create a sense of connection and shared experience with their audience. Listeners can also contribute to the sense of intimacy by actively engaging with the music and allowing themselves to be moved by it. This can involve focusing on the details of the performance, responding emotionally to the music, and being present in the moment. Intimacy in musical communication is not limited to live performances. Recorded music can also create a sense of intimacy, as listeners can feel a personal connection to the musicians even in the absence of a live performance. This is especially true when the music reflects personal experiences or emotions that resonate with the listener. Overall, intimacy in musical communication is an important aspect of the art form, as it allows musicians and listeners to connect emotionally and share a meaningful experience through music.
Bonnár, Lisa & Eggen, Anders (2015). Absent-minded lullabying does not put your baby to sleep. [Internet]. Sciencenordic.com. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2015). "Musikk i barns ører" - musikalsk veiledning for omsorgspersoner. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Valle, Viggo (2015). Vuggesang i Frokostradioen. [Radio]. NRK P1 +. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2015). Musikk i barns ører - musikalsk veiledning for førstegangsmødre. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2015). Å synge vuggesanger - den ultimate omsorg? Ride Ranke. ISSN 1891-7119. p. 39–43. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Gjerstad, Leif (2015). Nattasang går i arv. [Internet]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Garvik, Bodil (2015). En godnattsang på veien. [Journal]. Bergens tidende. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Eggen, Anders (2014). Barna avslører deg om du synger på autopilot. [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Holm, Hege (2014). Viktig å synge for barna når de skal legge seg. [Radio]. Ekko, NRK p2. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2014). Lullaby, Relation and Identity. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2013). The universality of lullabies. Full text in Research Archive
Trondalen, Gro; Stensæth, Karette; Bonnár, Lisa; Valberg, Tony; Vestad, Ingeborg Lunde & Sanfi, Ilan [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2013). Children, Music, Health - Round table. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2012). Music and emotional regulation in everyday life. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa (2011). Lullabies and nine reasons for their importance. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa & Erlien, Audun (2001). Under himmelen. Full text in Research Archive
Bonnár, Lisa; Strømgren, Jo; Nystrøm, Rolf-Erik & Hoff, Stig Henrik (2000). En musikalsk hyllest til Den Lille Prinsen. Full text in Research Archive

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Addresses

Visiting Address

Nils Hertzbergs Hus (Hovedbygg fløy A eldste del)
Holsetgata 31, N-2318 Hamar
Room 2A118
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Postal Address

University of Inland Norway
Postboks 400 Vestad
2418 Elverum
Norway

Lisa Bonnár Stjernø

Head of Department

Short description

Projects

Publications

Addresses

Visiting Address

Postal Address

Campuses

Other teaching locations