Studies - Sibelius Academy: Department of Music Education 1981-1989 composition studies with Olli Kortekangas 1989-1991 - workshops: Sibelius Academy, Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Jyväskylä University (Bob Moses) - private lessons from various musicians and pedagogues (John Taylor, London; Mousse N’Diaye, Dakar etc.) - studies of West Indian music in Madras, India 1995 (K. Subramanian) - studies of Senegalese music in Dakar, 1998 Activities as a musician: Salsamania - pianist and conductor of the Salsamania since 1981: performances in various Finnish music festivals: Pori Jazz (1982, 1983 and 1985) Provinssirock (1987 and 1990) Kainuu Jazz (1986 and 1991) Imatra Big Band Festival (1988 and 1991) Hesperia Winter Carnival, Helsinki (1984, 1985, 1986, 1990 and 1992) Helsinki Sea Jazz (1987) Time of Music, Viitasaari (1991) Helsinki Festival (1993) Kaustinen Folk Music Festival (1993) Ruisrock (1993) Lieksa Brass Week (1994) - performances abroad: Debrecen Jazz Festival, Hungary (1984) Varanger Jazz Festival, Norway (1993) - other activities of Salsamania: school concerts since 1983 (over 500 concerts)organised by Konserttikeskus ry Salsanamia Children’s Orchestra - 30 concerts 1986-1990 - recording: Salsanamia 1989 Other activities as a musician - UMO Jazz Orchestra: guest pianist 1989 (Chico O’Farril), 1991 (Bobby Porcelli and Ignacio Berroa) - soloist of the Settlement Big Band in 1995 (with Mario Grillon Machito Jr.) - pianist in a radio feature Torakka by Paroni Paakkunainen 1989 (Prix Futura, Berlin, 1989) - pianist in Saoco Salsa Band since 1994 - keyboard player of the Aija Puurtinen Band 1996 - Markku Rinta-Pollari/Tauno Räsänen/Pekka Törmänen/Timo Hietala Quartet 1994-1996 - pianist in the Kraanat Auki mini musical 1996-1997 - pianist in the Homenaje a Arsenio Rodriguez Band 1998-2000 festival&clubconcets with special guests Chico Alvarez(New York)Miguel Angel Ramirez Vinent(Cuba) - keyboard player of the Gumbavanti ensemble since 1998 (Avanti chamberorchestra`s african project) - studio musician in Helsinki since 1981 - Aija Puurtinen&Timo Hietala duo since 2002 - keyboard player of OTNA EAHKET 2002-2003(with Jone Takamäki,Antti Hytti,Tom Nekljudow) Finnish Jazz Federation`s tour in Finland 2002.France tour organised by Charles Gil 2002. - keyboard player of JOHN ZORN "Cobra" performance in Helsinki Musica Nova 2006.Conducted by John Zorn Activities as producer - Doina Kletzmer-band`s CD "Nomada" producer and 2nd mixer 2004. Teosto-award nomination 2005. - Pentti Lahti CD "Baran Baran" producer with Pentti Lahti & Kalle Vanhapelto 2003 - Esa Kuloniemi CD "The Legend of Bicycle Bronson" preproducer & 2nd engineer 2006 Teaching - Pop & Jazz Conservatory piano teacher 1987-1990 conductor of the A Big Band 1990 - Sibelius Academy: Department for Music Education teacher of improvisation 1989-1990 teacher of ethno music 1990-1992 lecturer of music 1992-2000 - Big Band education Rovaniemi Big Band 1989 Settlement Big Band 1992 Pohjantie Big Band Kuopio 1992 Porvoo Big Band 1992 Tampere Conservatory Big Band 1992 - teacher in workshops: Music camp of the Jyväskylä City 1982 Music camp of the Pop & Jazz Conservatory 1986 Sibelius Academy/Jazz Department 1991 Helsinki Cultural Centre 1990-1991 International Salsa Camp of the Jyväskylä Music Institute 1996 - also lectures and workshops in various further education projects of music teachers - composition and instrument building project for children in Musica nova Helsinki 1999 and 2000 Tampere VÄS 2002/2004/2006.Lahti Institute2003. Lectures of music and drama&films Taik Helsinki, Sibelius-Academy,Jyväskylä Conservatory.Several lectures of composing film music. National Opera.OOP workshops for children with Markus Fagerudd 2002/2003/2004 Grants - Finnish Arts Council 1992, 1997 and 1998 (grants for composition) - Georg Malmstén Foundation 1988 and 1990 - various grants for studying abroad (Sibelius Academy 1995, Finnish Cultural Foundation 1998) - Sibeliusa Foundation of The Society of Finnish Composers 1995 - Finnish Cultural Foundation 1995 - LUSES 2000 - Library Grant for HumppAvanti 2000 - Finnish Arts Council two years working grant 2002-2003 - Several grants for composing works commissioned by the soloists&orchestras Prizes - Prix Italia Honorary mention 1998 - Venla Prize 2000 - Telvis prize 2000 - Tampere Film Festivals 1st prize 2000 - Laon filmfestivals(France) 1st prize 2000 - Jussi prize for best musicscore 2002 - Prix Marulic 2004 - Prix Europa 2004 - Koura Honorary mention 2005 - Berlin EthnicFilmFestivals 1st prize & audience`s 1st prize 2006 - Montreux ArtFilmsFestivals Honorary mention 2007 Source: Finnish Music Information Centre