Anne-Mari Kivimäki

I began playing the 5-row accordion when I was 9 years-old. Before this I had played the piano for a couple of years. In folk music camps, I became familiar with accordions with less rows, and in 1999, I got my first 2-row accordion. While at upper secondary school, I was accepted in the youth department of Sibelius Academy, Maria Kalaniemi as my teacher. Inspired by her style, I also started to play 1-row accordion. In 1995, I began my studies at the Department of Folk Music, Sibelius Academy. In addition to Maria, my teachers have included Maija Karhinen, Riitta Kossi, Tellu Turkka, Ritva Talvitie, Timo Alakotila and Antti Hosioja.