Born in Trondheim (Norway), he began playing bassoon at the age of twelve, and at sixteen began studying with Robert Rønnes at the University of Stavanger. He continued his studies at the Conservatoire Superieur de Musique in Geneve with Professor Roger Birnstingl where he won first prize at the CIEN Riddes Schweiz competition in 1998. In the same year, he won his first job as co-principal bassoon in the Malaysian Philharmonic and completed his studies in Geneva. During his time in Malaysia, he continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover with Professor Dag Jensen.
In 2000, he won the solo bassoon job in the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen and, in 2002, the same position in the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln. In 2016 he began as acting solo bassoon in the Swedish National Orchestra – Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, a role he swapped with Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2023. In addition, he has played as guest Principal with the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, NDR Hamburg, DSO Berlin, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the Linos Ensemble.
As a dedicated educator, he has taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, Folkwang Universität in Essen and in 2008 won the professorship at the Hochschule für Musik in Mannheim where he currently teaches as the successor of the renowned Professor Alfred Rinderspacher. He has been also Visiting Bassoon Professor at the Royal College of Music, London, since 2017.
Currently he is bassoon professor at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Mannheim.