Sanna Kurki-Suonio

At Finland's Sibelius Academy, Kurki-Suonio holds a teaching post in the folk music department. Her international profile rests chiefly on her contributions to the Swedish-Finnish ensemble Hedningarna, also known as the Heathens. Choral ensembles across Finland have frequently drawn on her skills, among them the Octopus Choir. Her recorded work ranges from the traditional foundations of Hedningarna through jazz, children's music, tango, and art rock. She withdrew from the group while it tracked Hippjokk so she could devote herself to her studies and to time with her children and family, yet she rejoined the lineup for the sessions that produced Karelia Visa.