Eija Kankaanranta

Eija Kankaanranta is a Finnish kantele musician known for her work in contemporary music and improvisation. Born in 1972, she graduated from the Sibelius Academy with a Master's degree in music in 2000 and a Doctor of Music degree in 2009, becoming the first classical kantele player to complete a performer's doctorate there. Kankaanranta has premiered works by numerous composers, including Lotta Wennäkoski, Asta Hyvärinen, and Kaija Saariaho. She has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, such as the Avanti Chamber Orchestra and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, and has been involved in various ensembles, including the Superpluck trio and a duo with flautist Camilla Hoitenga.

Kankaanranta's musical career spans a wide range of genres, from classical to blues and folk fusion, as seen in her work with the Juurakko ensemble. Her album "Griffyr – contemporary music for kantele" was released in 2007. She has also played a significant role in Kaija Saariaho's opera "Only the Sound Remains," performing on specially designed kanteles in productions across Europe, Japan, and the USA. Kankaanranta is recognized for her innovative approach to kantele music and has received awards for her contributions to the field.