Maija Kauhanen

BIOGRAPHY

A powerfully expressive voice, deep-rooted kantele and inventive percussion: fleet-fingered virtuoso and one-woman band Maija Kauhanen specializes in Finnish kantele and its old and rare playing techniques. Weaving together polyrhythms and organic beats she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves.

Maija's first solo album Raivopyörä (The Whirl of Rage, Nordic Notes​ 2017) has been received with great reviews and numerous awards. The same year Maija Kauhanen performed at WOMEX among the Official Showcase Selection and the 2018-2019 highlights include performances at Tallinn Music Week, Rudolstadt Festival, Festival in the Streets in Ostrava, Folkelarm Oslo, Celtic Connections and Folk Alliance International in Montréal, Canada to name a few.​​

• 2017 Critics’ Spurs prize by the The Finnish Critics’ Association for "the best artistic breakthrough or comparable for a young artist during the year".
• 2017 “The newcomer of the year” prize in Finnish Ethnogala 
  
• 2017 The prestigious Emma Award for best ethno album of the year. 
  
• 2011 International Solo Kantele Competition in Helsinki
  
• 2011 shared the second prize of Nord´11 Competition in Sälen, Sweden. ​
  

WORKING PERIODS for Canada

2023

FROM FINLAND​​