The traditional stringed instruments of Finland are entwined with mythology, history, and identity. This illustrated talk, punctuated by live musical performance, offers an introduction to some of the historic and modern types of kantele and jouhikko (a.k.a. jouhikantele).

Performer Bios: Alice Margerum has been researching and handcrafting reconstructions of historical musical instruments for more than 30 years and has PhD in Historical Musicology. Kay Seppala teaches 5- and 10-string kantele and is director of the Ilon Kaiku Kantele ensemble.

Sing. Play. Celebrate.

Join us for a joyful closing celebration of FinnFest! The Grand Finale brings together many of the incredible musicians and performers who have shared their talents throughout the weekend—this time, with you in the spotlight too. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love to sing, this is your chance to join in. Each artist or group will lead audience sing-alongs and play-alongs, with lyrics and lead sheets projected for everyone to follow. Bring your voice, your instrument, or just your enthusiasm!

Plus raffle prize drawings, contest winner announcements, and a few special surprises you won’t want to miss!

Let’s wrap up FinnFest 2025 in true community spirit—with music, connection, and celebration!

Presenters: Maria Männistö, Eva-Christina Pietarinen, and Kyle Gray Young will co-emcee this event!

Kantele recital featuring musicians who attended Friday’s workshops.

This will be the premiere performance of many new kantele arrangements of songs and hymns from the Finnish Heritage Hymnbook as well as other traditional kantele tunes. Kanteles of different sizes will perform in small groups and as one large ensemble. Contact Kay Seppala if you or your kantele ensemble would like to take part in this: seppalakay@gmail.com

Performer Bios:

Margaret Vainio got her BA in music from Northern Michigan University. She was tour manager for the NMU Arts Chorale’s Bicentennial Concert Tour to Finland and moved to Finland permanently a year later. There she got a degree as a church musician and served in the Lutheran parishes of Pylkonmäki and Saarijärvi and later in Rhodes, Greece, directing choirs of all ages. In 1992 she completed further studies in preschool music education, teaching kantele groups at the local music school, and preschool music as part of her job with the congregation. In 1999 she completed a MA in music history from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. Vainio brought choirs from Finland to perform at FinnFest in 1996 and 2007, and has been a presenter at numerous FinnFests since then.

Kay Seppala, 5-string kantele and Finnish folk dance instructor

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).

Experience Finnish folk music on a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle.

The Hardanger fiddle is the national folk instrument of Norway. It is much like a violin. The major difference from a violin is that the Hardanger fiddle has a set of “understrings” that are not bowed or plucked, but are tuned to pitches that are mathematically related to the four strings that are bowed. These strings resonate when related pitches are played on the bowed strings. In the course of learning Norwegian tunes on the Hardanger fiddle at workshops and festivals, I’ve had some Finnish teachers, too, and have come across and learned a number of Finnish tunes. And while teaching Hardanger fiddle at St. Olaf College, I’ve had a number of students with Finnish heritage who have wanted to learn to play some Finnish tunes. Is it cultural appropriation to play Finnish music on an instrument designed for a different kind of music? Does Finnish music sound good on Hardanger fiddle?

Performer Bio: Sarah Pradt met the Hardanger fiddle in 2007 while listening to a random playlist. The instrument sounded like a cross between a violin and an electric guitar—-so that was it. At that time, she was traveling to Norway occasionally for work, and on a trip to Oslo in 2009 she found “Olav,” a fiddle with five resonating strings, a drawing of a cuckoo on the back, and lots of mother-of-pearl decorations. She and Olav have been inseparable ever since. Sarah plays and performs in the Twin Cities hardanger fiddle group (eighteen fiddles and growing) and teaches Hardanger fiddle at St. Olaf College. She also performs in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota with musicians who play Swedish, Danish, and Finnish folk music.

The story of Maria Johansdotter, who transitioned to live as Magnus Johansson, highlighting gender expression in folk traditions.

Learn about musician Maria Johansdotter who left Åland for Stockholm in the 1700’s, where she later transitioned and lived authentically as Magnus Johansson. This presentation by nyckelharpist, gender studies researcher, and ally, Renee Vaughan, offers a snapshot of Magnus’ story and contributes to the ongoing dialogue about gender expression in folk traditions.

Performer Bio: Renee Vaughan weaves the rich traditions of Nordic folk music through the resonant voice of the nyckelharpa, an instrument dating back to medieval times in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. As a performer and storyteller, she brings these melodies to life blending rhythm, history, and folklore.

Meet Snufkin & The Moomin family!

“Peeks into the Dancing Moominvalley @ Finnfest USA 2025” is an interactive music story guided by actor, musician, & composer Heikki Mäenpää. On stage, the audience will meet Snufkin and the Moomin family. The versatile Dancing Moominvalley ensemble leads the audience into a magical place of searching, experiencing, and learning about life’s little and big wonders. Catch the show Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at FinnFest USA this year. Also be on the lookout for surprise street performances by The Dancing Moominvalley ensemble in the Tori on all three days!

Presenter Bio:

Heikki Mäenpää got the idea of Dancing Moominvalley during the Moominvalley Orchestra’s tour of Germany in 2001. Nine years later “The Dancing Moominvalley” was presented at Shanghai EXPO 2010. Three days of performances included a contemporary dance piece, interactive concert called “Peeks into the Dancing Moominvalley,” art exhibition, lectures, workshops, and symposium. The production received Shanghai EXPO 2010’s Culture Award as the only one of the Finnish Pavilion Culture Program.
In the last 15 years “Peeks into the Dancing Moominvalley” has been performed in Europe, USA, China, Japan, and South Korea. This Year 2025 Dancing Moominvalley is celebrating MOOMIN 80th anniversary!