BIOGRAPHY
Kantele artist Emma Kuntsi (MMus, UAS Degree in Music Pedagogy) is a versatile solo and chamber musician whose repertoire focuses on new Finnish music for the kantele. She graduated with a Master of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in spring 2016, studying classical music under the guidance of Dr. Eija Kankaanranta. Since then, she has built a multifaceted career in music in a wide range of professional roles.
Since 2020, Kuntsi has increasingly focused on choral conducting. She is currently completing the B-level qualification in choral conducting through the Open University of the Arts at the Sibelius Academy’s Department of Church Music.
Between 2021 and 2025, Kuntsi’s artistic work has been supported by the Finnish Music Foundation (MES), the Finnish Forest Foundation, the Metsämiesten Foundation, the City of Helsinki, the Musicians’ Union, the Sibelius Fund of the Society of Finnish Composers, and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike).
In spring 2026, Kuntsi will work as a theatre musician in the production Metsää puilta, funded by the Finnish Forest Foundation and the Metsämiesten Foundation. Based on the script and direction by Tiina Iisala, actors Antti Tuomas Heikkinen and Riku Nieminen create a rich stage portrayal of Finns’ relationship with forests, with the voice of the forest performed by the living legend Seela Sella. The premiere will take place on 17 March at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki.
Kuntsi’s B-level choral conducting examination concert will be held on 9 May at Roihuvuori Church. The examination choir will be Amnis Ensemble, joined by singers from the chamber choir Qoro Quando. Kuntsi has pursued her choral conducting studies from 2022 to 2026 at the Open University of the Arts, Sibelius Academy’s Department of Church Music, under the supervision of MMus Jani Sivén.
Kuntsi arranges and composes music for the kantele, for various ensembles, and for choirs. She works as a freelance musician, conducts four choirs, works as a producer, and takes on a variety of administrative and artistic assistant roles.
Kuntsi serves as Chair of the Finnish Kantele Association. She was elected to the board of Freelancemuusikot ry in 2023 and to the board of the Musicians’ Union in spring 2024.
Get in touch!
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–
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
AMNIS ENSEMBLE
Choir director 2024–
Tampere Vocal Music Festival, Choir Review 2025: two golden stamps
Chamber choir from Vantaa
MUSIC EDUCATOR
Music educator in Sipoon opisto
EVENT PRODUCER AND STUFF
IIIX Int. Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, Office executive (2025)
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
