Administration

Mari Kaasinen, executive director

• I’m working as a brass teacher and wind band conductor at Jokilaaksojen musiikkiopisto. My job also includes duties as an assistant principal.  I love brass septett music.

Sami Ruusuvuori, chairman

• I work as the chief conductor of the Helsinki Police Symphonic Band. I also regularly conduct and lecture in Finland and abroad.

  Homepage: https://en.samiruusuvuori.com

Tiiu Tuominen, vice chairman

• I work as a music teacher at the Western Central Finland Music School, where my job also includes duties as an assistant principal. My roots in wind music come from Harjavalta, and my most important learning environment was the Jyväskylä University Wind Orchestra, Puhkupillit. I have worked as a secretary for the Finnish Wind Orchestra Association for a long time. I am interested in pedagogical issues and symphonic wind orchestra repertoire, among other things.

Juhani Valtasalmi, treasurer

• I work as the senior conductor of the Lanland Military Band. I also make orchestrations, arrangements and transcriptions especially for wind bands and give private lessons to people interested in conducting.

  Homepage: https://www.juhanivaltasalmi.com
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JuhaniValtasalmi

Sanna Engström, member of the board

• I’m a musician from Turku. I’m a clarinet teacher in Riihimäki music school and a conductor in Turun Työväenyhdistyksen Soittokunta. I also work as a freelance musician. Wind music has always been very close to my heart and has influenced my career choise.

Simo Haapalehto, member of the board

Hanna-Mari Lehtonen, member of the board

• I am a musician and cultural producer from Lempää. I have my bachelors degree in music pedagogue from PIRAMK and masters degree as a conductor from the Sibelius Academy. My job is to conduct orchestras at the Riihimäki Music College and the choir at the Riihimäki Civic College. My position as the coordinating teacher of ensemble education also involves the development of orchestra activities and the teaching of orchestra conducting.

  In my spare time, I run my small business called Pink Baton Productions. Through my company, I travel teaching in Finland and abroad as a conductor, composer and lecturer. Through my sole propriety I publish my own and Heli Seppälä's music, as well as orchestrate and arrange all kinds of music for various ensembles. A few of my works are represented in the USA by Leading Tones Music LCC.

  Homepage: www.hannamarilehtonen.fi
  Facebook: https://fb.me/conductorhannamarilehtonen
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannamarilehtonen
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannamarilehtonen

Lassi Takanen, member of the board

• I currently work as a trumpet teacher and conductor at Gradia Jyväskylä. At the same time, I am studying to become a music and classroom teacher at the University of Jyväskylä and pursuing a degree in music pedagogy at a polytechnic institution. In addition to these commitments, I also lead the University's Wind Orchestra, Puhkupillit.

  Wind music plays a significant role in my life as a conductor, teacher, and musician. Wind music-making is about joy, togetherness, and new experiences - these are values I aim to promote in the future as well.

Soila Takanen, member of the board

• I am a music teacher, conductor, and wind band enthusiast born in Kuortane. Currently, I am studying wind orchestra conducting at the Sibelius Academy as a master's student, and I work in the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defense Forces. As wind music has become my passion and profession, I am also involved in several governance roles and play the tuba in Töölö Brass.

Jukka Viitasaari, member of the board

• Jukka Viitasaari (b. 1961/aka "Viitasaurus") has had many decades of success as a composer for wind bands. He has been awarded seven Finnish and 16 international band composition contest prizes to date. He is a member of both the Finnish Composers Society and the Finnish Music Makers and also a WASBE board member for 2019–2026. He also serves on the board of The Finnish Wind Band Association SPOL and FinnBand, Finnish Band Publishers United.

  Music Finland Core, Jukka Viitasaari: https://core.musicfinland.fi/composers/jukka-viitasaari