Bio

I am a musician, composer, and music educator, with the pan flute as my primary instrument. In addition to releasing ten solo albums, I have made numerous appearances on television programs, radio broadcasts, and various concert stages. My extensive performance experience includes hundreds of concerts as a soloist, ranging from classical chamber music ensembles to wind orchestras and symphony orchestras. My repertoire is diverse, encompassing classical, entertainment, electronic, and folk music genres. Beyond Finland, I have performed in countries such as Denmark, Germany, Czechia, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Latvia, Switzerland, Estonia, France, Taiwan, and Singapore.

In 2003, I became the first person in Finland to complete a professional examination in pan flute at a conservatory. Following this, I pursued pedagogical studies at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (formerly Stadia), where I excelled in pan flute and oboe courses, graduating in 2007 as a pedagogue of oboe and pan flute. In 2008, I obtained a Master of Arts degree in Musicology from the University of Jyväskylä, specializing in musicology.

Subsequently, I commenced master’s studies at the Sibelius Academy, focusing on pan flute in the Folk Music Department. My aim was to deepen my understanding of various countries’ folk music, particularly Finnish folk music, and expand my repertoire. I am particularly interested in blending folk music with electronic sound effects and exploring archaic music styles on both the pan flute and various traditional folk instruments. In December 2014, I graduated with a Master of Music degree.

In 2017, my pan flute method book, “Step-By-Step Guide,” was published in Germany. The book, entirely my creation, caters to players of all ages and skill levels, from amateurs to professionals. Prior to the book’s publication, I completed a pan flute concerto for symphony orchestra, marking the beginning of my career as a composer. My compositional style typically blends elements of neoromanticism, neoclassicism, and 20th-century national modernism. In addition to composing for the pan flute, I have written music for various ensembles, including mixed choirs, string quartets, wind quintets, solo instruments, symphony orchestras, and wind orchestras.

My most recent pan flute albums, released in 2017, are “Cantus Pantus,” “No Panic!,” and “My Christmas.” The albums feature baroque music, works by 20th-century composers, and original compositions. The “My Christmas” album also includes many of my arrangements of beloved Christmas songs.

In 2017, I began studying composition at Tampere University of Applied Sciences, with Hannu Pohjannoro and Paavo Korpijaakko as my mentors. During an exchange period in 2018-2019 at the Conservatorio di musica Santa Cecilia in Rome, my teachers were Maurizio Gabrieli (film composition) and Riccardo Riccardi. In December 2022, I graduated as a composer.

In November 2023, with the support of the Finnish Composers (The Society of Finnish Composers) , I organized a composition concert in collaboration with Olari Parish. The main performers of the concert were the Fantasia Quintet, who for instance premiered my latest work “Fantasia Portrait” – a series for wind quintet.

As mentioned earlier, I am also a professional oboe player and pedagogue. For instance between the years 2009-2017 I worked as oboe and english horn player at the Helsinki Police Band, a professional wind orchestra. I have worked for more than 20 years as a pan flute and oboe teacher at different music institutes. Over these years I have been teaching for instance at the Vantaa Music Institute, the Helsinki Conservatory, Centria University of Applied Sciences and the Sibelius Academy. Since 2006, I have been conducting pan flute masterclasses and courses for beginners and advanced players alike. In addition to teaching, I continue to actively perform as an artist, continually expanding my pan flute repertoire and compose new music not only for pan flute but also other instruments and ensembles.

In 2025, alongside concerts and masterclasses, there will be published at least one new sheet music collection composed for 3–4 pan flutes, though it can also be played with many other instruments. Additionally, 1–2 new albums featuring the pan flute and church organ will be released.


My works have been performed by various ensembles, including the Navy Band (Commissioned work: “Song of the Sea” – a series for wind orchestra; Turku 2018), Chia Yi Wind Orchestra (Lion Overture, Concerto for Pan flute and Wind Orchestra; Chiayi International Band Festival, Taiwan 2018, supported by Music Finland), Polytechnic Orchestra (Concerto for pan flute and symphony orchestra; Kauniainen and Helsinki 2017), Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (Art Testers Project: Minute symphony: Zooming; Tampere 2017), Neue Quartet (Quattro Formaggi for String Quartet; Helsinki 2018), The Guard Band (Concerto for pan flute and wind orchestra; Helsinki 2020), Camerata Janáček (FantAsia for 2 wind instruments and string orchestra; Czechia 2021), Uusimaa String Quartet (String Quartet No.1; “Forest’s Tale” Quintet for pan flute and string quartet; Hämeenlinna 2022), Jussi Salonen & Janne Hovi (Suite for voice and piano; Hämeenlinna 2022), Syrinx Consort (Balkan love story for pan flute and string orchestra, FantAsia, Quattro formaggi for string orchestra; Vienna, Austria 2022), Varga Quartett Wien (Te Deum, Concertino for 2 pan flutes and strings; Lilienfeld, Austria 2023), Hsinchu Municipal Chinese Orchestra (FantAsia for pan flute, Chinese bamboo flute and traditional Chinese orchestra; Hsinchu, Taiwan 2023), Wels Sinfonietta (Concertino for three pan flutes and string orchestra; Wels, Austria 2023), Lohja Wind Orchestra (Ship in the rising storm; Lohja 2023), Chia Yi Wind Orchestra (Concertino for Pan flute and Wind Orchestra; Chiayi International Band Festival, Taiwan 2023). Pan Flute Trilogy (Wind of Music, Quattro Formaggi, Free as a Bird; Germany and Switzerland 2024).