For Lori Ann Reinhall and Jim Nelson, Scandinavian culture is an integral part of who they are. Despite growing up thousands of miles away from each other, these grandchildren of Scandinavian immigrants share a love of that culture's music that reconnected them after a quarter of a century.

"It's sort of in our blood, so to speak," Reinhall said.

Growing up in Seattle, Reinhall heard Swedish spoken around the house and studied music, including the old Scandinavian-American cliche – the accordion.

Nelson grew up in Wisconsin. He learned to speak Norwegian at 6 and became a professional musician when he was 14.

When he was young, Nelson's father would take him to the river and teach him how to make willow flutes. He now plays more than a dozen folk instruments, and said it is in his nature to learn instruments and play music.

"The driving force for me has been the phrase, 'Know Thyself,'" Nelson said. "For me, it would be denying myself part of who I am [to not play music]."

Reinhall and Nelson met at the University of Washington, where they both earned a degree in Scandinavian studies, while sharing an office. They would often jam together in the office on Nelson's guitar.

Reinhall and Nelson went their separate ways, last performing together in 1980 or 1981 and last seeing each other in 1983. That is, until a mutual friend reconnected them two years ago, leading to the formation of Duo Scandinavica.

Duo Scandinavica perform folk, immigrant and troubadour music originating from both Scandinavians and Scandinavian-Americans.

Reinhall said performing that music gives insight into the culture, shares its stories and keeps it from dying out.

"Singing these old songs, you feel it in your heart," she said. "I feel it brings me closer to my heritage."

Nelson translated 17 years worth of letters his grandmother sent to his uncle. They detailed evenings in which Scandinavian immigrants in the Midwest would rent a farmhouse, get a fiddler and some beer and dance until 2 a.m.

He said that musical tradition has continued throughout the generations, and Duo Scandinavica is picking it up.

Unlike many similar musical groups, Duo Scandiavica does not perform wearing folk costumes, which Reinhall said can be corny. Nelson said that helps them avoid cliches.

Reinhall said she doesn't consider herself to be doing something anachronistic or archaic while performing with Duo Scandinavica. They put a modern twist on the music while staying true to it, which helps them connect with audiences and represent modern Scandinavia, she said.

Young people in Scandinavia are carrying on the instrumental and folk music tradition with a modern spin, Nelson said.

Despite the difficulties it causes in scheduling practices and performances, living halfway around the world from each other benefits Duo Scandinavica.

Living in Norway, where he recently retired from a career as a music teacher, Nelson can stay connected to the temporary musical trends there and share ideas with Scandinavian musicians, Reinhall said. It's a direct link to the musical happenings there, she said.

Reinhall said living in the United States, especially Seattle, helps her maintain contact with the Scandinavian-American community and to judge what is important in the cultural exchange.

Duo Scandinavica will be performing on July 17 and 18 as part of the Nordic Heritage Museum's Viking Days.

Reinhall said she is excited to perform at the the Nordic Heritage Museum because it is an important cultural institution in preserving the heritage of Scandinavian immigrants and providing a venue for cultural exchange.

"We want to see it succeed," she said. "We're excited to be part of that."

Also, she said. Viking Days provides an opportunity for the diffuse generations descended from Scandinavian immigrants to get interested in and celebrate their heritage. Just like Duo Scandinavica.

Nelson and Reinhall perform at 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. July 17 and 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. July 18 as part of Viking Days. They will also be performing July 19 at the Leif Erikson Lodge.