Janne Nisonen

I violin, I concertmaster

I was hired by the Tapiola Sinfonietta in 2007, practically straight out of school. I had studied at the Sibelius Academy and then at the Edsberg Music Institute in Stockholm. What was interesting in the recruitment process was that the post being filled was that vacated by my former teacher, Tero Latvala.

I come from a musical family: on my mother’s side there is a long string of folk musicians in Kaustinen, and being infected by the folk bug was inevitable. The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra lent its own flavour to the cultural cocktail I enjoyed in childhood; I was taken to their concerts practically as soon as I was toilet-trained.

Currently I lead a dual professional life: alongside my work as Leader I am also a conductor. I have made guest appearances with quite a few Finnish and foreign orchestras over the years.

My principal mentors include violinist Endre Wolf, pianist Timo Koskinen and Professor Mats Zetterqvist. Hannu Lintu instructed me in orchestral conducting. I play a violin made by Elina Kaljunen in 2018.

At home, I am kept busy by three kids, two cats and several unfinished garden projects.