He received his first violin training in his hometown Hamar where he debuted as soloist with the local orchestra at the age of 17. He later studied violin and conducting with Einar Schøyen, H. Marteau and P. Büttner in Oslo and Dresden (1932-34) and became the bandmaster (“kapellmester”) for the orchestra at Hotel Bristol in Oslo (1939-1946) which after the war was transferred with its 24 musicians to the National Broadcasting Company (NRK).
