Tapio Tuomela – Masterclasses

Tapio Tuomela

Composition, Orchestration Faculty | The Global Conservatory

Tapio Tuomela (b. 1958) started his musical career as a pianist in the 1980's and as a conductor in the 1990's, having finished both master programs at the Sibelius-Academy. He continued at the Eastman School (USA; Master in composition, 1990), and University of Arts Helsinki (Doctor in composition, 2014) where he has worked as lecturer of orchestration and composition since 2019.

He is most well-known for his vocal music and operas. The Kalevala-inspired Mothers and Daughters was commissioned by the Finnish National Opera and the Finnish candidate for Nordic Prize, while the chamber opera Antti Puuhaara has been performed approx. 30 times, at Bastille Opera Auditorium and Musée d'Orsay, among others.

Tuomela has written also three symphonies, two concertos, a lot of choir music and other vocal music for various ensembles. His music has been performed in festivals like World Music Days, Nordic Music Days, Gulbenkian, Présences (Paris), Moscow Forum, Sibelius & Beyond (London), and Scandinavia Today (N.Y.).

He was Resident Composer of the Joensuu City Orchestra in 2008-2013. His pieces have been elected by the Unesco Rostrum for Composers twice. His artistic prizes include the Composition Contests of the Sibelius-Academy Centennary and Finnish Independence Anniversaries.