Jorma Uotinen was born in Pori on 28.6.1950. He started his career in theatre at the age of 10, as an assistant, child actor and musical dancer at the Pori theatre. He commenced his dance studies at the theatre dance school at the age of 16.

Uotinen graduated from upper secondary school in 1970, after which he moved to Helsinki and was accepted into the National Ballet, where he worked until 1976. During this time, he also studied at the Stockholm Ballet Academy, and with Serge Golovine in Geneva. In 1976, choreographer Carolyn Carlson asked him to join the experimental dance troupe GRTOP at the Grand Opera in Paris. This engagement lasted for 5 years and GRTOP made extensive world tours. After his years in Paris, Uotinen returned to Finland, working as the artistic director and choreographer for the Helsinki City Theatre dance troupe for 9 years.

The Finnish National Ballet appointed Uotinen artistic director in 1991, an assignment which lasted until 2001. In 2002, he became artistic director for the Kuopio tanssii ja soi festival, where he continued until 2019.

Jorma Uotinen has performed and created dance works in over 40 countries. He has made more than 100 choreographies, dance works, musical and theatre choreographies. He has visited venues like the La Scala theatre in Milan, The Royal Danish Ballet, and the Introdans company in the Netherlands. Uotinen has taught at numerous international fora around Europe. In addition to his work as dancer and choreographer, Uotinen has worked as an actor, both in cinema and on the stage. At the turn of the millennium, he also started a career as a singer, predominantly performing French chansons. He has given concerts in all Nordic countries, France, and Hungary.

Uotinen has received numerous honours, among them the Pro Finlandia medal, Officier des Arts et  Lettres, the Finland award, and the Wihuri foundation lifetime achievement award. The President of Finland awarded him with the title of professor in 2012, and the University of Eastern Finland with a doctorate honoris causa in 2020.

Works from different decades

Jojo

Huuto

Mies, jota ei koskaan ollut

Kalevala

Pateettinen baletti

Petrushka

Jord

Black Water