SOIVA Camp Teacher's Biographies

A Focused Music Education Program For Young People

Anna-Leena Rysä

Anna-Leena Rysä began her music studies at Oulu Conservatoire.  She continued flute studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Mikael Helasvuo, Ilpo Mansnerus and
Petri Alanko, and graduated in 1995 with a Master’s of Music.

During her studies, she lived in Paris for one year studying with Raymond Guiot and has also attended master courses run by Manuela Wiesler, Patrick Gallois, Raymond Guiot, William Bennett and Konrad Huenteler.

Anna-Leen Rysä has worked as a principal flautist in the Lohja City Orchestra and Pori Sinfonietta and as a flutist in the Helsinki Philharmonic.  She has played in several recitals for example in Suomelinna, Kuhmo and Oulu and she is a member of chamber orchestra UNKO.  In 1997 she was a finalist at Crusell recital competition in Uusikaupunki and in 1997 a finalist in the national Quantz-flute competition.  She has also played as a soloist for Oulu, Lohja and Pori orchestras.

She has accompanied the successful family operas “Canine Kalevala”, and “One Spooky Night” at the Savonlinna Opera Festival and the Finnish cartoon “Viivi & Leeve”.  She has also contributed to several CD’s compiled by several city orchestras.

Since 2000 she has been the principal flute teacher at the Music Institute of Pakila in Helsinki.  She also conducts the institute’s pupil ensembles in the roll of the main chamber music tutor.

Anna-Leena is an inspiring and resourceful music educator.  In her work she is exploring the limits of both the capabilities of her young pupils and different styles of music, including also pop and contemporary music.  She actively seeks for opportunities for her pupils to perform in varied occations and places.  Her flute ensembles have performed several premier performances and in 2007 recorded the “Three Pieces for the Pakila Young Flutists” by the composer Jukka-Pekka  Lehto.

Anna-Leena Rysä has also taught in various Finnish summer courses and camps; in 2000-2007 Espoo Wind Music Course, 2004 and 2006 in Kanneljärvi, 2005 at Murikka Wind Orchestra Camp and 2007 at Orivesi Symphony Orchestra Camp (NOK).