Mikael Kemppainen
Accompaniment
Mikael Kemppainen studied the piano at the Sibelius Academy, first under the guidance of Minna Pöllänen, and later with professor Liisa Pohjola. He supplemented his studies through numerous master classes in Finland and abroad (Hungary, Estonia, Russia, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Luxemburg). At the Sibelius Academy, he also studied chamber music with Ralf Gothóni and lied with Ilmo Ranta and Hartmut Höll.
Mikael Kemppainen has been awarded in many piano and chamber music competitions, for instance first prize in the Jyväskylä Piano Competition in 2001. After these triumphs, he has appeared as soloist with several orchestras, and at festivals such as the Naantali and Turku Music Festivals, Helsinki Festival, Espoo Piano Week, Kuhmo Chamber Music and the ”Young Prize-Winners” concert series of the Berlin PianoForum congress. Additionally, he has made radio recordings for YLE.
Nowadays, Kemppainen works as a lecturer of accompaniment at the Turku Conservatory. He is also a familiar face as a pianist at master classes and competitions.