When you listen to my music, try not to think about what I have to say. It’s not me. The music came out of me, and now it has its own voice. Listen to that and see how it makes you feel.
Of my background and interests
Composition:
I’ve been composing music since I was six years old, and improvising since I was tall enough to reach the piano keys. My musical taste has not changed too much over the years, but I have acquired a lot more skills to do justice to my ideas.
I received my Bachelor of Music degree from the Composition Department of Sibelius Academy, University of The Arts, in 2024. I have studied composition with Dr. of Music Matthew Whittall, lecturer Lauri Kilpiö and Dr. of Music Ville Raasakka. I am also a graduate of Joensuu Conservatoire of Music (2019) where I studied violin with Dr. of Music Tapani Yrjölä and composition with Inga Grigorieva and Jukka Koistinen.
My biggest strengths in composition are in crafting themes, writing tonal/modal harmonic progressions and in orchestration/instrumentation that elevates the emotional effect of the music. I write a lot to orchestras and bigger ensembles, and to voice.
Piano:
I have played piano for over 20 years, studying with multiple teachers including Anna Kuvaja, Maija Väisänen, Toni Mäkinen, Eini Perälä and Riitta Kyytinen.
Violin:
Violin I have played for about 15 years, studying with DMus Tapani Yrjölä, Arja Yurtseven, Katri Tolvanen and Kirsi-Marja Kiilavuori. I have a professional musician degree in violin playing from Joensuun konservatorio (2019).
Voice:
I have sung in choirs, vocal ensembles and as a band soloist for about 15 years now, my first ensemble being a three-voice a cappella ensemble at age 13. I have studied both classical and pop-jazz singing with multiple teachers, including Eini-Annukka Perälä, Timo Turunen, Hanna Hurskainen and Elina Arlin.
Music pedagogy and band instruments:
I have studied in the the Department of Music Education in Sibelius Academy for two years, where I acquired a good basic understanding of music pedagogy and musicianship outside of art music, too. There I also became well acquainted with the most common band instruments, such as guitar, bass, drums and percussions.
Of my philosophy:
On my opinion, music is truly special in its ability to resonate with one’s soul and express things that are often not describable by words. Music aids people in feeling their own emotions, even when they are finding it hard to talk about them. Playfulness and humour are also amongst the best things I like about music and composing.
Composer Auri-Helena Nikkinen 