Master Folk Musician, Master Folk Dancer, Master Folk Singer

The title of Master Folk Musician, Master Folk Singer and Master Folk Dancer is awarded by the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival to a person who has promoted folk music or folk dance and its practice through his or her traditional skills, rich repertoire or other outstanding achievements. A total of 165 champions have been elected so far, and the first champions were elected in 1970. The first champion folk singer was appointed in 1979 and the first champion folk dancer was appointed in 2011.

The titles for Master Folk Musicians have been pondered ever since the first ever festival, when the idea of a folk music competition was brought up. Although in the end granting Master Folk titles was a more proper way to bring up the talented people behind folk music.

When granting someone the title of a Master Folk Performer, it is a tribute not only for one person, but for everyone in the broad spectrum of folk music - the tradition partakers, enthusiasts, pelimannis, folk dancers and singers.

Master concerts and the Master parade

During the festival week, you can hear and see these important representatives of the tradition in both the Master concerts and the Master Parade. These atmospheric events will entertain audiences not only with music and dance, but also with stories and information. The tradition lives on and is passed down from generation to generation! The masters also perform with their own bands.

Naming the Master Folk Performers

At the request of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, the Folk Music Institute prepares an annual presentation of the new masters to be appointed. The Folk Music Institute assembles a group of experts to prepare the presentations and also consults a wide range of representatives from the folk music scene, such as the Finnish Folk Music Association. The actual nomination is made by the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival Board.

Applications for Master Folk Musicians, Dancers and Singers can be sent throughout the year. The applications can be sent to matti.hakamaki@kaustinen.fi or give a call to +358 40 574 1917

Master Folk Musicians

2025

Linnéa Holmberg, violin, Tammisaari

Liisa Kupiainen, violin, Ilmajoki

Eero Myllymäki, harmonium and accordion, Kaustinen

Rauno Nieminen, horns, whistles and bugles, Ikaalinen

2024

Unto Kukka, mandolin, Ii

Liisa Matveinen, folk singing, Ilomantsi

Jari Paavola, accordion, Kokemäki

Jarmo Varila, violin, Kaustinen

2023

Aimo Hentinen, folk dance, Hollola

Anita Kaustinen, harmonium, Halsua

Juhani Lautamaja, folk singing, Seinäjoki

Patrik Weckman, violin, Espoo

2022

Petri Hoppu, folk dance, Tampere

Tore Johansson, accordion, Parainen

Raila Järvelä, violin, Veteli

Matti Peltola, harmonium, Kaustinen

Reino Uusitalo, violin, Kaustinen

2021

Anneli Aho, violin, Kuortane

Pentti Ojajärvi, mandolin, guitar, Kesälahti

Leenamaija Raukola, violin, Kangasala

Hannu Seppänen, two-row accordion, Helsinki

2020

no Master Folk Performers were named

2019

Toivo Rajala, folk singing, Lappajärvi

Ritva Talvitie, violin, Kaustinen

Aimo Ruisniemi, harmonica, Raisio

2018

Matti Paananen, violin, Viitasaari

Hannu Rahikainen, two-row accordion, Rovaniemi

Katja Lampinen, accordion, Jämsänkoski

2017

Teuvo Anttila, double bass, Kaustinen

Jussi Asu, folk singing, Seinäjoki

Mauno Järvelä, violin, Kaustinen

Veikko Kuivala, wooden spoons, Lieto

Tony Uusitalo, double bass, Kaustinen

Eivor Wallinvirta, folk dance, Helsinki

2016

Siv Ekström, violin, Jomala

Usko Välimäki, accordion, Jalasjärvi

Hannu Nipuli, folk dance, Lahti

2015

Jussi Huovinen, violin, Suomussalmi

Taito Saari, folk singing, Veteli

Timo Valo, harmonium, Kaustinen

2014

Aimo Mässbacka, violin, VImpeli

Klas Nyström, harmonica, Taalintehdas

Janne Rauma, violin, Kaustinen

2013

Eero Lahti, violin, Suolahti

Pentti Mattsson, violin, Harjavalta

Antti Hosioja, double bass and accordions, Kaustinen

2012

Kari Dahlblom, kantele, Äänekoski

Jouko Heikola, harmonica, Vihti

Dan Lillas, harmonica, Mustasaari

2011

Lasse Peltonen, Ilmajoki

Erkki Hiekkavirta, Jyväskylä

Christine Julin-Häggman, Jepua

Antti Savilampi, folk dance, Helsinki

2010

Aila Rauhala, kantele, Veteli

Asko Hanhikoski, violin, Kaustinen

Jonas Borgmästars, violin, Ähtävä

Juha Kuorttinen, kantele, Lappeenranta

2009

Eric Dannberg, violin, Hanko

Risto Hotakainen, violin, Halsua

Aimo Mantere, harmonica, Lahti

2008

Karl Erik Berg, violin, Korsholma

Tapio Kivelä, double bass, Kaustinen

2007

Teijo Aho, two-row accordion, Kuortane

Thure Hinds, piano accordion, Tiukka

Jorma Järvelä, violin, Kaustinen

2006

Lars Engstrand, violin, Vöyri

Tapani Peltoniemi, kantele, Kaustinen

2005

Martti Salo, kantele

Hilja Grönfors, folk song, Helsinki

2004

Matti Alin, harmonica player, Vilppula

Arvo Viitaniemi, violin, Pori

2003

Ingmar Furu, violin, Ähtävä

Kalevi Kantola, mandolin, Eura

Esko Pirttilampi, sawmill, Pietarsaari

2002

Teppo Aho, 2-row goose, Vähäkyrö

Kimmo Anttila, violin, Kaustinen

Pentti Kivinen, folk song, Puumala

2001

Gösta Bergström, violin, Vöyri

Kalevi Kainulainen, accordion, Lapinlahti

Markku Tunkkari, violin, accordion, Kokkola

2000

Voitto Isosaari, kantele, Veteli

Aulis Kivinen, kantele, Alahärmä

Harry Wessman, harmonica, Rauma

1999

Klaudia Vonkkanen, folk song, Varkaus

Eero Hautsalo, harmony, Viitasaar

Allan Pajukangas, violin, Kaustinen

1998

Airi Hautamäki, 2-row goose, Alavus

Ricke Mette, violin, Helsinki

Vilho Suonvieri, violin, Haparanda

1997

Kari Peltoniemi, violin, Kaustinen

Jussi Haanpää, guitars, Oulu

Mikko Rantamäki, harmonica, Kristiinankaupunki

1996

Teppo Ala-Juntti, 2-row goose, Keminmaa

Eino Ketola, clarinet, Kauhajoki

Bengt Lillhannus, violin, Helsingby

1995

Wimme Saari, folk song, Enontekiö

Paavo Kattelus, folk song, Lapua

Aarne Pekkala, folk song, Göteborg

1994

Henry J. Mäki, accordions, harmonica, Laihia

Raimo Uusitalo, violin, Kaustinen

Erkki Vepsäläinen, violin, Varkaus

1993

Aarne Järvelä, violin, Parola

Teppo Välimäki, 1-, 2- and 5-row accordion, Jalasjärvi

1992

Oiva Järvinen, violin, Rauma

Toimi Uusitalo, harmonium, Kaustinen

Erkki Vihinen, harmonica, Jyväskylä

1991

Heikki Lahti, mandolin, Jämsänkoski

Aukusti Viitaniemi, harmony, Vimpeli

1990

Risto Ala-Ikkelä, accordion, Kauhajoki

Erkki Lassila, kantele, Kälviä

1989

Elis Andersson, violin, Jepua

Erkki Rankaviita, folk song, Karijoki

Vieno Timonen, folk song, Kauhava

Erkki Valkama, harmonica, Alavus

Reino Valkama, harmonica, Alavus

1988

Eino Hänninen, clarinet, Oulu

Antti Kämäräinen, accordions, harmonica, Kiuruvesi

Mauri Salo, accordion, Kaustinen

1987

Taito Karhulahti, kantele, Halsua

Eeli Tuomi, accordions, violin, Kurikka

Vesa Valo, violin, Kaustinen

1986

Johannes Pasanen, Hanurit, Kannonkoski

Leo Siirtola, violin, Kittilä

Boris Wiklund, violin, Övermark

1985

Toivo Alaspää, kantele, Vantaa

Lauri Kahilainen, kantele, Jyväskylä municipality

Hannu Rauma, violin, Kaustinen

1984

Sipri Saari, violin, accordion, Karvia

Torsti Saari, violin, Karvia

Sven-Runar Wiik, violin, Sipoo

1983

Arvi Pokela, kantele, Saarijärvi

Otto Silander, violin, Kumlinge

1982

Viljo Jalonen, violin, Rauma

Sulo Masalin, violin, Viitasaari

1981

Sulo Alaspää, kantele, Veteli

Lauri Keränen, violin, Hyrynsalmi

Martti Koivumäki, accordions, harmonica, Jalasjärvi

Irja Kuoppala, folk song, Alahärmä

1980

Kaisu Försti, harmony, Evijärvi

Erkki Metsäpelto, violin, Vimpeli

1979

Matti Hintikka, violin, Sumiainen

Eeli Kivinen, folk song, Vimpeli

Tyyne Pahkamäki, folk song, Jämsä

Aldevin Peltoniemi, violin, Kaustinen

Kalle V. Rintanen, folk song, Ylihärmä

1978

Valter Enlund, violin, Lapväärtti

Torsten Pärus, violin, Lapväärtti

Veikko Turja, 2-line accordion, violin, harmonium, Kauhajoki

1977

Tauno Aho, 2-row goose, Kuortane

1976

Tauno Krossi, 2-row goose, Laihia

Edith Tuomi, violin, Pori

1975

Väino Savikoski, kantele, Hapavesi

1974

Erik Jansson, violin, Korppoo

Uuno Latvala, violin, Kalvola

Arvo Myllykangas, harmonium, Kaustinen

1973

Aapeli Hautanen, 1- and 2-row goose, Jalasjärvi

Fredrik Koivikko, 2-row accordion, Vilppula

1972

Johannes Järvelä, violin, Kaustinen

Arvo Lindfors, violin, Pori

Toivo Saari, violin, Veteli

Toivo Venetjoki, kantele, Halsua

1971

Viktor Andersson, violin, Jepua

Viljo Karvonen, kantele, Halsua

Erik Johan Lindvall, violin, Squirrel

Urho Myllymäki, 1- and 2-row gooseneck, Kauhajoki

Antti Vesterinen, violin, Jyväskylä

1970

Otto Hotakainen, violin, Halsua

Konsta Jylhä, violin, Kaustinen

Kustaa Järvinen, violin, Eura

Tuure Niskanen, violin, Pielavesi