Anna Westerlund

Anna Westerlund, originally from Helsinki, is the principal cellist of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. Westerlund has previously held the same post with the Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra and also served as principal cellist with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. Westerlund graduated in the spring of 2024 with a Master of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy, having studied under Professor Marko Ylönen. Other key teachers have included Taru Aarnio at the East Helsinki Music School, Timo Hanhinen at the Sibelius Academy and Torleif Thedéen at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Known as a dedicated chamber musician, Westerlund is a familiar face at Finnish festivals, and she has also enjoyed success with her chamber ensembles in competitions both in Finland and abroad. Trio Est (Puustinen, Söderström), one of Westerlund’s regular ensembles, performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto as soloists with the Lapland Chamber Orchestra in November 2025. With his regular Takapiha Piano Quartet (Uusitupa, Kilpeläinen, Hakkila), Westerlund has performed in, amongst other venues, the Klassikkoparatiisi concert series and the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival.

Westerlund has appeared as a guest principal cellist with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Outside of work, she is a passionate kitchen psychologist, does strength training, and enjoys Nordic crime novels and crime series. Westerlund plays a Claude Pierray cello dating from 1725.