About Ellen and Ken

Ellen (Haffling) and Ken Svengalis perform traditional Swedish folk songs and ballads, with voice, guitar, and violin. Together, they have performed for a number of Swedish and Scandinavian organizations and festivals in CT, NJ, NY, and RI, including the SAHS Midsummer Celebration, ScandJam, the Scandinavian Folk Festival in Jamestown, NY, Scandinavian Fest in NJ, and the Swedish Welfare Association annual dinner in CT, and numerous R.I. Swedish Heritage Association (RISHA), American Union of Swedish Singers (AUSS), and Scandinavian Club events. Their biggest thrills to date have been singing solos in Detroit at the AUSS Grand Concert (in 2004) and in Sweden as part of the AUSS singing tour (in 2005).

Ellen, who is of Swedish descent, has been performing as a soloist at Scandinavian events for more than a decade. She is the soprano soloist at First Congregational Church, Stratford, CT and soloist with the Northern Lights Singers (Fairfield, CT) of the American Union of Swedish Singers (AUSS). All four of her grandparents emigrated from Sweden, from the provinces of Halland and Värmland. Her father, the late Eric Haffling, sang with the North Star Singers of the AUSS for 65 years. Ellen developed a love for Scandinavian music by hearing them perform. Her hand-made folk costume is from a village in Värmland. She is a past national secretary of the American Union of Swedish Singers and is currently their webmaster and newspaper editor. Ellen was the first female President of the Scandinavian Club of Fairfield, CT. She has directed the Lucia Fest at the Scandinavian Club for over 10 years. She feels that it's important to pass on Swedish songs and traditions to the coming generations. When not promoting her heritage, Ellen is a computer software consultant.

Ken Svengalis, who is of Swedish and Lithuanian descent, has been singing with the Verdandi Male Chorus of Providence, RI (AUSS) since 1996, and is currently President and a soloist with that group. His maternal grandparents emigrated from the Swedish provinces of Småland and Värmland. His paternal grandparents emigrated from the Suwalki region of Lithuania. He particularly enjoys singing the songs of Carl Michael Bellman and Evert Taube. Ken is Vice-President of the Jussi Björling Society - USA, which was organized in 1998 to honor the career of the 20th century’s greatest operatic tenor. He also serves on the board of the Rhode Island Swedish Heritage Association which was organized in 2002 to raise funds for a permanent Swedish presence in the future Heritage Harbor Museum in Providence. Ken is an author, publisher, and President of Rhode Island LawPress. His latest book, entitled Gary, Indiana: A Centennial Celebration, is about his home town, which celebrated its centennial in 2006. He is also involved in organizing his high school's 45-year class reunion for 2010: Emerson High, class of 1965.

Ken and Ellen were married in 2001 and make their home in the rolling hills of North Stonington, CT.