Koistinen Kantele - Sounds Brilliant

Kantele master builder Otto Koistinen made his very first kantele in 1957 during the time when he was still working as a pilot on the Lake Pielinen in North Karelia. He is a developer of unique sound of Koistinen kanteles and real Grand Old Man of Finnish kantele.

From his love to kantele sound has been growing whole success story of Koistinen kanteles. In 2010 Otto received the first honored name of the Master Kantele Builder Craftsman from the Guild of Masters Council of Finland . Otto Koistinen's life work as a developer of kanteles is unique and on the results of his work still every Koistinen kantele is getting their unique brilliant sound.

During last 10 years Koistinen Kantele has been growing up energetic way. Today in the Koistinen Kantele Team is working today near 10 kantele professionals in the areas of making instruments, selling, playing and teaching how to play kanteles.

There has always been very strong connection between kantele making and playing. In the Koistinen family and team we have always had the highest level and understanding of kantele playing and teaching kantele musicians as well. This continuous built in cooperation is a main reason for our unique level in kantele instruments. Kantele music and playing is present in every day life of most of in our team members life.

There is no way one person could create such a quality and results than a great team. Here is an introduction of Koistinen Kantele Team members.

Timo Schmidt is a main responsible of wooden parts making in Koistinen Kantele. Timo mainly works with big kanteles such as our Concert, Acoustic and Electric models. Timo joined Koistinen Kantele in 2001.

Jari Laasonen is a wood work finishing responsible in Koistinen Kantele. Jari is mainly working with big kanteles such as our Concert and Acoustic models. Jari become Koistinen Kantele Team member in 2003.

Viljami Roivas is responsible of making all the lacque r and finishing work for Koistinen Kanteles. He also fulfills your dream of the personal look of the unique kantele. Viljami started in Koistinen Kantele in 2007.

Sirpa Korhonen is responsible of setting tuning pins, strings and mechanisms to kanteles and also making most of the kantele maintenance works. Sirpa started in Koistinen Kantele in 1998 when she became the first Koistinen Team member from outside Koistinen family.

Sonia Saharinen is our team freshest member. She started in January 2011 and have more than 2 years apprenticeship time to learn full professional skills for making small kantele models.

Jukka Korhonen is a production manager of Koistinen Kantele. He also takes care of the deliveries of kanteles and sets up all the microphone systems of Koistinen kanteles. Jukka joined Koistinen Kantele Team as a full time member in 2008 after years of microphone system developing and assembling as a hobby.

+358 50 36 77 507  jukka.korhonen@koistinenkantele.com

Olga Shishkina is responsible for tutorials and pedagogical materilas at Koistinen Kantele. Olga graduated from St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov 2008 gusli (russian kantele) as her main instrument. She continues her studies at Sibelius Academy on Finnish concert kantele, electric kantele and jazz piano. Olga joined Koistinen Kantele Team in 2008.

+358 40 866 78 05 olga.shishkina@koistinenkantele.com

Hedi Viisma is a sales responsible of Koistinen Kantele in Helsinki. She is taking care of inquiries as well as processing orders. Hedi is a Master of music and is doing her doctoral studies in Sibelius Academy. Hedi has been working in Koistinen from 2005 and playing Koistinen chromatic kantele from 2003.

+358 40 524 66 99 shop@koistinenkantele.com

Hannu Koistinen is CEO of Koistinen Kantele. He is son of Otto Koistinen and have been continuing family tradition in kantele making already from early age. Hannu is a main developer and designer of modern Finnish kantele. Hannu also serves you in concert kantele sales and currently works for developing new kanteles and other products. Hannu have been building kanteles from 1973.

Hannu developed the first professional level concert kantele models in early 1990's and soon continued developing with electric kantele models. Revolutionary Electric1 model was introduced 1999. He has modernized design and features of kantele to the modern era through his work the image and usability of kantele has improved strongly. Modern wing kantele collection he introducer 2001 and it soon became modern popular classic of kantele. Today kantele is ready for every stages and performances. Design, brilliant acoustic or amplified sound of Koistinen kanteles is ready for your music.

+358 50 36 77 500 hannu.koistinen@koistinenkantele.com