CELLIST

Jaani Helander studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, with Martti Rousi and at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Italy with Natalia Gutman. He is a member of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and he teaches cello at the Sibelius Academy.

Helander was awarded 2nd prize in the Turku Cello Competition in 2010 and 1st prize in the string instrument competition at the ISA Festival in Austria in the same year. He has performed as a soloist with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Joensuu and Hämeenlinna City Orchestras and the Guard’s Band in Finland, and with the Spirit of Europe -orchestra in Austria.

Helander is the artistic director of the Helsinki Chamber Music Festival together with violinist Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä. With pianist Jaan Ots they also form piano trio Teos. Helander has performed at various chamber music festivals as at the iPalpiti festival in Los Angeles and the Nafplion festival in Greece.

With his cellist friend Lukas Stasevskij, Helander forms cello duo Cellomania. They play rock, pop, film music and game music, and Helander makes most of the arrangements. He has also composed the piece Nocturne Op. 1 for the duo. Cellomania will release their debut album in 2021.

Jaani Helander’s new composition Inner Life, Op. 2 for string quintet will be premiered at the 5th Helsinki Chamber Music Festival in July 2021.