Practice songs on Friday for a recital on Saturday!

This workshop, using music from the Finnish Heritage Hymnbook, is for more experienced players of the kantele, focusing on the 10- and 11-stringed instruments. Those who pre-register will receive the arrangements ahead of time by email. Some of the music will be playable by 5 string players – variations of the melody or simple harmony, rather than chording. During the final 30 minutes, participants in the 5-string workshop will join us for a dress rehearsal of Saturday’s recital. Pre-registration is required. Please email seppalakay@gmail.com to register.

ABOUT PRESENTER: A third generation Finnish-American, Kay grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and moved to St. Paul as a young adult. There she began Finnish folk dancing with the Kisarit, and learned to play the 5 and 10 string kantele (Finnish lap harp) from Joyce Hakala, as a member of the Koivun Kaiku Kantele Ensemble.

Now in Hancock MI, Kay is helping to preserve Finnish folk culture through teaching Finnish folk dancing and the small kantele. She is the director of the children’s group, Kivajat Finnish Dancers, as well as Ilon Kaiku, an adult kantele ensemble for 5 and 10/11 string players. Both groups are sponsored by the Finnish American Heritage Center (now a part of Finlandia Foundation National).