BIOGRAPHY
Kantele artist Emma Kuntsi (Master of Music and music pedagogue (BSc)) is a versatile solo and chamber musician whose repertoire is focused on new Finnish kantele music. She graduated in spring 2016 from The Faculty of Classical Music of Sibelius Academy Helsinki University of the Arts and has had a varied career in music since then.
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2021-2023 her artistic work has been supported by The Finnish Music Foundation, The City of Helsinki, The Finnish Musicians’ Union and by the Arts Promotion Center Finland. For 2022, Kuntsi received a grant from The Society of Finnish Composers for a composition order from Miika Hyytiäinen.
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Kuntsi has founded two ensembles: in Kuii kollektiivi with actress Tiina Iisala (FIA) they make theatre which is strongly based on music. Soiva Ensemble is originally a community of musicians which was formed around soprano Margit Tuokko, guitarist Panu Henriksson and Kuntsi. Soiva Ensemble plays chamber music with different configurations, mainly contemporary music.
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Kuntsi arranges and composes for kantele, different chamber music configurations and for choirs. In addition to being a freelance musician she teaches kantele and conducts four choirs. Kuntsi also works as an event producer, music assistant and as a booking agent for other artists.
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Kuntsi serves as the chairman of the Kantele Association from the beginning of the 2024. During the 2023-2024 term, Kuntsi will serve on the board of The association of Finnish freelance musicians (Freelancemuusikot ry).
Photo by Vilja Harala
RESUME
KUII KOLLEKTIIVI
Music and theatre by Kuntsi and Iisala
SOIVA ENSEMBLE
Chamber music ensemble of opera singer Margit Tuokko and Kuntsi with alternating configurations
Kesäkonsertti, West London, wrote Judith Weir
QUEENS OF QORO QUANDO
Choir director 2016–
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Female chamber choir from Vantaa.
Tampereen Sävel 2019: Three gold stamps (highest rating)
European Choir Games Gothenburg 2019: Gold Medal Level, Chamber Choir Category
FINNAIR SINGERS
MUSIC EDUCATOR
Kantele teacher in Helsinki YMCA
Music educator in The Adult Education Centre of the City of Helsinki and Sipoon opisto
EVENT PRODUCER AND STUFF
IIX Int. Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, Secretary of the Jury (2022)
Kantele Competition and KanteleKimara, Producer (2022)
Voice is Voices, opera of composer Miika Hyytiäinen, Music Assistant (2021)
Sibelius Singing, Int. Duo Competition for Singers and Pianists, Secretary General (2020)
V Kantele Competition and KanteleKimara, Producer (2019)
JouluQ album by Qoro Quando, Producer (2013)
BOOKING AGENT
DEGREES
Master of Music 2016, Sibelius Academy of Helsinki University of the Arts
Bachelor of Music 2012, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Final project report: Henkistä dieettiä ja hemmottelua
Musician 2008, The Helsinki Concervatory of Music
