Lars Ragnar Karlin

Background

Lars Ragnar Karlin is a distinguished trombonist and educator, born in Borlänge, Sweden and currently based in Denmark. His early musical training began in Sweden, where he developed a deep passion for the trombone. He later moved to Germany to study with Prof. Jonas Bylund and Andreas Klein, where he refined his technical and artistic skills. Karlin has had an illustrious career as the Solotrombonist of the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DNSO), one of Scandinavia’s most prestigious orchestras. In addition to his orchestral work, he is a part-time teacher at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, where he imparts his wealth of knowledge and experience to aspiring trombonists. 

Teaching Methods

Lars Ragnar Karlin combines a holistic approach in his teaching, focusing on both technical and artistic development. He emphasises the "singing approach," encouraging students to treat the trombone as an extension of the voice, with long, expressive phrasing and smooth legato. Karlin incorporates yoga to improve posture, breath control, and relaxation, reducing physical tension. He also uses mental rehearsal to help students visualise their performances, boosting confidence, reducing anxiety, and enhancing focus.

Artistic accomplishments

As Solotrombonist of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, he has performed under renowned conductors in prestigious venues worldwide. Karlin’s artistic output extends to chamber music, including brass quintets and contemporary ensembles. He has also been a member of the Trombone Unit Hannover and the New European Ensemble, and currently serves as Guest Solotrombonist with the Utopia Orchestra under Teodor Currentzis. Karlin has performed as a substitute with major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Orchestra, and Mahler Chamber Orchestra. His versatility as a trombonist and arranger allows him to perform across various musical traditions, enhancing his international reputation. Karlin’s artistry blends technical mastery with emotional depth, making him a sought-after performer and collaborator in diverse musical settings. 

Development and masterclasses 

Lars Ragnar Karlin, a Yamaha Artist since 2017, collaborates with Yamaha Music Europe and Japan to develop the tenor and alto trombones. He teaches masterclasses worldwide, having visited countries such as Germany, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, India, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Norway.

In 2025 Karlin is expected to re-visit Bulgaria, Japan, China, Taiwan and India for Masterclasses reaching from June - September 2025. 

CD’s and publications

• Full Power (2013 - Trombone Unit Hannover
• A Swedish Trombone Wilderness (2015) - Solo Album Lars Karlin
• Living on the Edge (2017) - Trombone Unit Hannover
• YouTube: Sliding through the opera - with Tomer Maschkowski