women musicians

"There are gems to be discovered in this repertoire, disdained by contemporaries and marginalised by history."

In the heart of folk music is an idea of equality: professionals and amateurs playing the same repertoire, each at their own skill level, as valued members of the community. There is a natural curiosity about different cultures and any form of exclusion is discouraged. However, gender equality is an issue that still seems to need some fine tuning. What is the status of female folk musicians in the Finland of 2016?

Baroque violinist and conductor Kreeta-Maria Kentala writes about how attitudes towards baroque music and female conductors have changed during her career.

A protégée of the Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department, the vocal ensemble 'MeNaiset' has delved deep into the music not only of the Finno-Ugrian peoples but of other nearby races as well. The important thing about this band of young women is not, however, their academic background but the joy they find in singing together.