Sibelius Academy Music Festival

• About the Sibelius Festival
• 2012 Sibelius Festival Sponsors
• This Year's Musicians
  • Classical Duo: Pauli Jämsä, Piano, and Liina Leijala, Cello
  • Finnish Folk Quartet: "Hohka"
• Past Sibelius Festival Musicians
• Sibelius Festival 2011 Posters

The 14th Annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival: The Musicians

Folk Band "Hohka"

Contemporary Finnish folk band "Hohka" mixes Finnish tradition, catchy pop tunes, and global atmospheres in a unique, energetic blend. Hohka's four musicians-Meriheini Luoto (violin), Valtteri Lehto (kantele), Veikko Muikku (accordion) and Maksim Purovaara (bass)-formed their band in 2006. In November 2011, the band won the Nordic folk music band competition, Nord11. The music and compositions of Hohka sound fresh and incorporate small vignettes and stories. Visit the band's website at www.hohka.net.Pauli Jämsä, Piano, and Liina Leijala, Cello

Liina Leijala, Cello, and Pauli Jämsä, Piano

When Pauli Jämsä was accepted into the Sibelius Academy youth deparmtent in 2006, he became certain that he had chosen the right path. Now he studies in the Academy's solositic department, as well as at the University of Vienna, Austria. "The great pleasure in playing chamber music is the possibility of sharing the music-not only with the audience, but also with colleagues," he says. "It is inspiring to share the magic of music."

In January 2012, Liina Leijala completed her master's degree in music at the Sibelius Academy. Now, she is studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. Happiness is shared, says one famous writer. Similarly, Liina believes that one side of music is also to be shared. The other side, she explains, is a hedonistic joy. "The unique character of performing music is what I like the most about it: you show your inner view to yourself and others," she reflects.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - 14th Annual Finlandia University Sibelius Festival Music Festival

Sunday, September 23, 2:30 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Estonian House of Chicago, 14700 Estonian Ln., Riverwoods, Illinois. Concert tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

Tuesday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival event. Meet the Musicians. Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, Michigan. Free, open to the public.

Wednesday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students; Finlandia students attend free.

Friday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St., Calumet, Mich. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students; Finlandia students attend free.

For the most accomplished student-musicians in Finland and around the world the Sibelius Academy is the destination for the best and brightest. The prestigious Sibelius Academy, founded in 1882 and named for Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, is one of the largest and best regarded music academies in Europe. Visit the Sibelius Academy website at www.siba.fi/en/.

Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, Finlandia University is an independent, private, not-for-profit institution of higher education located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is one of 24 colleges affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Finlandia offers 2- and 4-year degrees in disciplines of liberal studies, health sciences, business, and fine art and design. Finlandia Athletics is a member of NCAA Division III. Visit the university's website at www.finlandia.edu.