Milla Viljamaa | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 8 February 1980 |
| Genres | Tango nuevo, folk, chamber music, circus music, world music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Grand piano, harmonium |
| Labels | Texicalli Records, Aito Records, Plastinka Records, Warner Music Finlandia Records |
| Website | millaviljamaa.com |
Milla Viljamaa (born 1980) is a Finnish musician, composer and producer known for her creative works in various fields ranging from folk music, tango, rock, pop and chamber music to theatre, opera, ballet and film productions as well as different kinds of concerts. Her work as a composer received significant recognition when she was given the 2012 Teosto Prize from her solo album “Minne”. The prize, awarded by the Finnish Composers' Copyright Society Teosto, is one of the biggest art prizes in Nordic countries and aims to highlight new works that are fresh, original and innovative. She have been playing in the following ensembles: Lauri Tähkä Revohka, Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola, Las Chicas del Tango, Milla Viljamaa & Co, Johanna Juhola Reaktori and Hereä. She has also worked with larger groups like Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and Tapiola Sinfonietta. In 2002 Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola won the 1st prize of the International Ástor Piazzolla Competition (Citta di Castelfidardo Award, Astor Piazzolla Music Section) and in 2008 received the Emma nomination for best ethnic music album. Viljamaa have also been teaching at the Sibelius-Academy Folk Music Department in Helsinki where she graduated with a master's degree majoring in piano and harmonium in 2007. She has also published new kind of learning material in form of a book of sheet music and CD called "Folk Music for Pianists" in 2008 and "Folk Music for Pianists - beginners" in 2012. Milla is known as an charismatic performer and a musician. One of her specialities is her skills with a traditional instrument harmonium, that she have been presenting abroad globally.