A direct descendent of Finnish Composer Jean Sibelius, Ruusamari Teppo began her piano studies at the age of four in her native country of Finland. She has performed as a soloist and a collaborative pianist in the USA, Finland, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Estonia, Belgium, and South Africa. In addition to winning second prize in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition and the Petrof Piano Competition, Ms. Teppo has participated in several music festivals, including Kuhmo, Naantali, Turku, Karjaa, and Inkoo festivals in Finland, Portogruaro and Tarvisio in Italy, South Africa’s Stellenbosh, and Moulin D’Ande in France. Always an innovator, Ms. Teppo often spearheads crossover performances in collaboration with dancers and actors.

Ms. Teppo and Finnish cellist Jussi Makkonen have recently partnered as a duo, performing over sixty times together, most recently touring the United States last March and September and in Finland this summer. The Duo was invited to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jean Sibelius to the United States by Finlandia Foundation and they gave 40 concerts during two tours in Washington, Portland, California, Arizona, New York NY, Wahington DC. Ruusamari also presented two pre concert lectures for Seattle Symphony. The duo will return to the United States in the fall 2017 to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Finnish independency.

Ms. Teppo is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Texas. While at the University of North Texas, Ms. Teppo served as a coordinator in the 4th Jean Sibelius International Conference. At the 2013 Linden Music Festival in Washington she presented workshops on the piano and chamber music of Sibelius.