Susanna Suorttanen

Susanna Suorttanen began her violin studies at the Northern Kymenlaakso Music Institute. She continued her education at the Päijät-Häme Conservatory and the Sibelius Academy, where she completed her violin diploma under the guidance of Kaija Saarikettu.

Susanna’s orchestral career began with the Kouvola City Orchestra, now known as the Kymi Sinfonietta. She has worked with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish National Opera Orchestra, and the Vantaa Pops Orchestra. In addition, she has participated in musical theatre productions at the Lahti and Helsinki City Theatres. Susanna worked for about five years in the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra as the principal first violin and alternating concertmaster.

She joined the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014 and has since held various positions, ranging from second violinist to concertmaster.

As a soloist, Susanna has performed with, among others, the Joensuu City Orchestra and the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra. Chamber music is a constant companion to her orchestral work and helps maintain her playing condition. During the summers, she plays in the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra, meaning there’s hardly any real summer break from playing. However, the Savonlinna summer and fellow musicians from across Finland make the work feel like a holiday.

In her free time, Susanna practices CrossFit – a sport that constantly involves learning new things and challenging oneself. The versatility of CrossFit also provides important balance to the static posture of a musician.

Susanna’s instrument is a violin made by Pietro Sgarabotto in Parma in 1949.