Sirkka Kosonen
singer, sound artist, folk musician and doctor of music
University of the Arts, Helsinki
About Sirkka Kosonen
I sing, compose, arrange, lead a choir, play the accordion and kantele, research and teach. I yodel, strum, croak, pluck, strum and write. All of these parts make up my musicianship. But without improvisation and challenging my folk singing skills in multi-style ensembles, I would feel incomplete. All of this, and the different projects that often take place at the same time, make me who I am. Also, my natural open curiosity about all kinds of ways of using the voice keeps me in its fascinating grip. I sing in the bands, Yxi Hengellinen Huwittus, Jodlaten, SirkkaTrio, Perriin Tyssit, Burlakat and MeNaiset. Since 1998, I have thrown myself into various projects based on improvisation and performed at folk music and jazz festivals in Finland and abroad. I lead the Hytkyt choir in Kerava. We have also toured and learned from other folk song genres in Ladoga-Karelia, Hungary, France, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Udmurtia and the Republic of Mari. I teach at the Sibelius Academy of Arts, Kerava College and Savonlinna College of Music and Dance