Milla Viljamaa, pianist

Milla Viljamaa (b. 1980) is a finnish musician and composer known for her creative works in various fields ranging from folk, tango and chamber music to theatre, opera, and film productions as well as different kinds of concerts. She has also produced imagery and music for two visual concerts called 'Lost Moon' (Kadonnut kuu 2005) and 'Trap' (Ansa 2008).

Viljamaa is an solo artist as well as an accomplished ensemble musician, having toured extensively both in Finland and internationally. Her latest achievement is a tour in Australia on March 2009 with Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto and Australian Chamber Orhestra. Viljamaa’s main ensembles besides her solo act are Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola, a trio Las Chicas del Tango and also the folk-inspired quartet Hereä all of which released an album in 2007. Viljamaa's first solo album 'The Best Time of Day' (Paras aika päivästä) was released in 2008 and features a dozen of talented musicians in many varied ensembles.

Milla Viljamaa also makes time for teaching at the Sibelius Academy where she graduated with a master's degree majoring in piano and harmonium in 2007. Viljamaa has published all new study material with her book 'Folk Music for Pianists' (Kansanmusiikkia pianisteille) in 2008, which has received much praise from teachers and students alike.

ENSEMBLES:

HEREÄ - Nordic landscapes and urban colours

DUO Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola - Modern concert tango

Milla Viljamaa & CO - Visual music and short stories

Las Chicas del tango - Tango stories with a voice of a woman


AMONG FORTHCOMING PERFORMANCES:

July 3, 2009: London, The City festival of London, Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola

July 26, 2009: Norway, Festspillene, Johanna Juhola Reaktori

August 2, 2009: Finland in the city of Karkkila, Sulatto Festival, Hotel Insomnia (new work by Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola)

September 2009: Finland Helsinki, Tango Roto Show, Music by Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola, Dancers Nina and John Krook, Jukka Haapalainen & Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö, Savoy Theatre Helsinki