Valtteri Bruun

I got my first guitar for Christmas from my grandfather when I was 7. My dad taught me a couple of chords and it all started from there. I started to take guitar lessons at the age of 11. My teacher then was Pekka Nylund. Later I was accepted to Oulunkylä Pop/Jazz Institute and Conservatory where I studied from 1994 to 1997. In 1996 I became interested in the mandolin and became a pupil of a Sibelius Academy student Jarmo Romppanen at the Department of Folk Music. I became so enthusiastic about folk music that I decided I wanted to study it. I applied for the Sibelius Academy but was not accepted. Instead, I attended the Ala-Könni music institute in Kaustinen, where I spent the term of 1998-1999 immersing myself in folk music. In 1999, on my third attempt, I was finally accepted to the Sibelius Academy.

I have been taught at the Sibelius Academy by such teachers as Petri Hakala, Pekka Nylund, Jarmo Saari and Timo Ala-Kotila as well as several musicians from Finland and abroad.

The orchestras in which I play at the moment include Bandoliino, Drom, Pasi K & Hurmos, and Progele.