The whole conducting thing for me started kind of by accident. As I mentioned earlier it all started on a band camp where we were given a chance to take a conducting course for free. I was very lucky to have Hannu Norjanen as my first teacher. He laid very good foundations for me and encouraged me to study further.

At that time Hannu was finishing his studies at the Sibelius Academy with Jorma Panula. I also started following his lessons and met the legendary Russian teacher Ilya Musin there for the first and last time in my life (he was giving a masterclass there). Later Hannu was appointed the chief conductor of Vaasa City Orchestra which I will guest conduct next autumn. Now he is the music director of Cantores Minores, the best and oldest boys' choir in Finland.