About Us
The Band
Nordic Daughter is more than just a musical project it is an experience in variety, acceptance, love and accountability. The musical concepts behind the music build a sense of intimacy with the audience that can only be described as genuine and authentic. The vocal stylings of Melissa Lycan are unique yet classic and the songs she delivers are heart felt and blended.
The duet debuted in 2016 at the Oriental Theater. The first songs were produced in the KMG studio in Boulder, CO, and the band released the first EP “Forgotten” in 2017. A Sophmore Album "The Path"was right on it's heels in Nov 2018 both produced by Ahrue Luster and featuring Mia Asano on Violin. In 2020 Nordic Daughter released three singles all around the challenges we face as we go on our heroes journey! The 3rd album "Perceptions" released in September of 2023 was a compilation of singles produced primarily by Haven Yates. However during Covid the band recorded one single with Van Verhoeven called Same Dreams which is on the 3rd album. Now the incredible journey brings us to the Senior release. The 4th Album "Nordic Sun" has been tracked with B-Normous Studio, produced by Jason Lycan and will be released with World Sound via Virgin Music in 2025. Stay tuned for some unique teasers.
The band has performed with artists like Lita Ford, Trapt, Celtica Nova, Pictus, Hexxen, Cold, Stitched up Heart, Jack Russell and Great White, and Crimson Pirates. They have headlined festivals like Yule Viking Festival, Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Southern Indiana Renaissance Faire, Pirate Viking Summer Festival, Cheyenne Celtic Festival, Colorado Medieval Festival, and are booked at All Hallows Medieval Fanatasy Faire and Boynton Beach Pirate Festival in October.
Nordic Daughter’s main focus is to tour the world teaching children how to write music as an outlet for their own voices. Interested in playing large benefit concerts, performing our fully Choreographed show for fans all over the world and giving as much of our hearts and minds to the planet as it can handle. Get ready for the fiercest of all warriors, NORDIC DAUGHTER!
Vocals
Melissa Lycan was privately instructed in piano for 6 years from the age of 7 when she began to compose her own songs and focused heavily on academics. Though she never stopped writing. She had three vocal instructors including Lance Bendiksen of Bendiksen Productions and has compiled thousands of songs/poems over the last 20 years. In addition to her Bachelor of Music Business at Full Sail University she holds a Masters Degree in Business Intelligence and is a licensed educator.
Guitar
Jason Lycan has been building unique melodies for 25 years as a self educated musician. Jason has played music in several bands playing stages with artists like TRAPT, THC, FLAW, HED PE, ONE EYED DOLL, SALIVA and more. He is endorsed by Talon Pics in Denver, CO and continues to pursue a wide range of musical endeavors including his Hard Rock band Something For Tomorrow.
Violin
Sarah Jylkka is a Detroit native living in Denver, Colorado. Sarah earned her Bachelor's in Music Education from DePauw University in Indiana and currently holds a professional teacher's license in the state of Colorado. Sarah plays both violin and viola professionally and recently closed the chapter on 5 years of directing middle school orchestra in order to pursue a career in continuing education and performance.
Violin
Ariele Macadangdang is a Filipina-American, contemporary violinist and proud introvert. She has shared the stage with touring artists such as Disturbed, Kygo, The Flobots, Kali Uchis and The Trans Siberian Orchestra. Ariele enjoys collaboration with musicians in contemporary, folk and euro-classical styles, performing both as an improvising violinist in various Colorado-based bands as well as local orchestras. Passionate about songwriting and arranging, she performs her original music frequently with folk trio Salomé Songbird.
During her undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University, she was a featured soloist in the 2012 Walmart Annual Shareholders meeting.
Violin
Michael Young is a classically trained violinist who currently studies Violin Performance at Azusa Pacific University. He has played in numerous orchestras in Colorado, California, Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, and Bratislava and has performed in chamber groups across the states. Michael has won two separate concerto competitions and still enjoys learning new solo repertoire with his current teacher Alexander Russell. Michael has collaborated with artists such as Mike Flack, Micah Wiederwohl, Hillside Worship, and Nordic Daughter. Michael also has featured instrumentals on the soundtrack of the movie “Sleeper Agent (2020)” and is working with Launchpad Studios on a second movie soundtrack “Malediction: The Evil Truth”.
Violin
Haiden Davis has been classically trained for 15 years. He attends the University of Colorado at Denver to study contemporary styles. His diverse musical training inspires a unique sound influenced largely by classical, jazz, and hip hop. As a performer, producer, composer and educator, he strives to bridge the gap between many musical communities. A lifelong Colorado native, Haiden lives in Denver and plays Violin with Nordic Daughter.
Bass
Haven has been playing music for over twenty years. In 2014 Haven backed Michael Robert on a two-week tour in England packed with sixteen shows. In 2015 Haven joined hardcore band Proclaimer, where he played bass and sang clean vocals and by 2016, Haven recorded, mixed, mastered and co-produced Proclaimer's first EP. Since then, Haven has played many shows along the west coast, USA with different acts including Nordic Daughter, Westward, Silver & Gold, and Ana Lete, to name a few.
Keys
Tracy Stokes has been involved in the music industry in some form for 60+ years. A seasoned studio and stage player, she has played with many bands, predominantly cover and a splash of original projects. Tracy has served as a key production entity in 2 major recording studios, Normandy Sound in Warren, RI and Avalanche Recording Studios, Northglenn, CO. Favorite activities in Nordic Daughter include performance, production input, writing contribution, tour coordination and admin assistance and merchandise design and creation.
Drums & Percussion
Chris Lycan has been involved in the music industry in some form for 20+ years. He has played with many bands, predominantly Metal and Hard Rock in Denver, CO and is one of the live players for performances in Colorado. Favorite activities with Nordic Daughter include performance, production input, keeping time and holding down the beat.
Drums & Percussion
Evan DeGrasse has been performing percussion for 20 years. A seasoned stage and studio player, he performs with Nordic Daughter on the 3rd Album "Perspectives", and enjoys his own Prog Rock band Emerald Hour in Colorado Springs, CO. Favorite activities in Nordic Daughter performance, touring with friends, and studio recording.
Studio Drums
Johnny Reggie Romero has been playing music for over 30 years. From the punk rock of Green Jello to the heavy beats of The Dawn Chose Orion he has toured with several band before joining Nordic Daughter in 2018. For the last 3 years he has worked with the project building drum tracks for the second album "The Path".