Artist

Pauliina has graduated from the famous Sibelius-Academy folk music department in Helsinki (Master of Music, 2003). Her main instrument is kantele, including all the different models and techniques. She also performs with harmonicas, celtic harp and finnish bowed-harp, jouhikko.

On her solo career Pauliina has recently concentrated on the match-plucking style of kantele-playing. She has been exploring and researching this peculiar playing style for years. Usually kantele is played by picking the strings with fingers. However, this “Saarijärvi” style means that the player plucks the strings with a wooden stick. This style makes the sound of kantele quite different from the usual, soft atmosphere. The stick causes a lot of resonation on the strings, making the soundscape strong and grainy with flute-like overtones on the top.                                 

Improvisation lies in the heart of Pauliina's music - a tune is never played twice in the same way.

Right now Pauliina has an artist's grant, so she concentrates on performing (on solo and with bands). She is also busy composing new music. Pauliina lives in Kaustinen  which is known for its folk festival.

Abroad 

Pauliina lived in England for a year (1997-98). She was a member in the folk band "The Road North with Vikki Clayton". The band cave many concerts in folk festivals and different venues. She also studied celtic harp and gave kantele workshops. 

During the recent years Pauliina has performed abroad in England,Germany, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Japan and USA.

Pauliina is performing in Tokyo, Japan, at the end of May.