January through December 2023
Finlandia Foundation National is pleased to announce Performer of the Year for 2023, singer and songwriter Ida Metsberg.
Singer and songwriter Ida Metsberg was born in Finland and is now at home in New York City. Ida began studying classical piano at seven and has a background in musical theater, graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.
She now performs mostly with her guitar, and has just released her debut EP, “How Do You Do It?“
Ida will be able to tour as FFN POY from January through December, 2023. Details on Ida and her FFN appearances coming soon.
For more about Ida: idaofficial.com
2022 Performer of the Year 2022
By Katariina Lehtonen
POY Chair
FFN has selected award-winning jazz vocalist Eeppi Ursin as Performer of the Year 2022. Eeppi sings in English and Finnish, and accompanies herself on piano.
She will perform in-person or virtually in events/concerts for FFN chapters from January through December of 2022.
Originally from Finland, now based in New York City, the singer-songwriter is a versatile artist who has performed as a soloist as well as with various types of groups, from A Cappella ensembles to symphony orchestras.
Eeppi offers pop, jazz and dance music programs—she even performs children’s music, such as Muuminlauluja (Moomin Voices), a wonderful option for Suomi Koulu.
She has 40 recordings, of which five are platinum or gold albums. Eeppi’s fourth solo album, Speechless, was released in February of 2022.
Eeppi has performed all over the world, with acclaimed artists such as American trumpeter Leroy Jones and Spirit of New Orleans, and has taken the stage at the Shanghai Concert Hall, Helsinki Music Centre, Pori Jazz Festival and more.
She was invited in 2018 by the New York Songwriter’s circle as the first Finnish artist at The Bitter End in New York City. In 2014, Eeppi was chosen as the soloist at the President’s Independence Day Reception in Finland.
Eeppi will perform in-person or virtually in events/concerts for chapters from January 1 through December of 2022.
FFN chapters in good standing* may book a virtual or in-person appearance by contacting coordinator Katariina Lehtonen at lehtonenk @ comcast.net.
*A chapter must be fully current in dues owed to Finlandia Foundation National, and meet the other requirements of FFN affiliation, to be considered a chapter in good standing.
2022 Performer of the Year
By Katariina Lehtonen
POY Chair
Award-winning jazz vocalist Eeppi Ursin is wrapping up her gig as Performer of the Year 2022. Eeppi sings in English and Finnish, and accompanies herself on piano.
She will perform in-person or virtually in events/concerts for FFN chapters from January through December of 2022.
Originally from Finland, now based in New York City, the singer-songwriter is a versatile artist who has performed as a soloist as well as with various types of groups, from A Cappella ensembles to symphony orchestras.
Eeppi offers pop, jazz and dance music programs—she even performs children’s music, such as Muuminlauluja (Moomin Voices), a wonderful option for Suomi Koulu.
She has 40 recordings, of which five are platinum or gold albums. Eeppi’s fourth solo album, Speechless, was released in February of 2022.
Eeppi has performed all over the world, with acclaimed artists such as American trumpeter Leroy Jones and Spirit of New Orleans, and has taken the stage at the Shanghai Concert Hall, Helsinki Music Centre, Pori Jazz Festival and more.
She was invited in 2018 by the New York Songwriter’s circle as the first Finnish artist at The Bitter End in New York City. In 2014, Eeppi was chosen as the soloist at the President’s Independence Day Reception in Finland.
Eeppi will perform in-person or virtually in events/concerts for chapters from January 1 through December of 2022.
FFN chapters may book a virtual or in-person appearance by contacting coordinator Katariina Lehtonen at lehtonenk @ comcast.net.
SPEECHLESS
Eeppi’s new album Speechless is a luscious combination of pop, soul, and singer-songwriter traditions with empowering vocals.
“As a little girl, I was bullied because I was very shy and didn’t really have the courage to speak at school. I was speechless. But making music gave me a voice. I started playing piano at school events and, much to everyone’s surprise, soon I was singing, too. Music became my way to survive and be somebody, and I realized I felt at home on stage. That’s the theme of my new album, which now feels natural to be open about,” says Ursin.
Click here to enjoy this sampling of Eeppi’s talent in her new release, “When It’s All Over.”
Find more information about Eeppi and listen to her music at eeppiursin.fi
Eeppi has also performed two short, fun holiday specials that appear on the Finlandia Foundation YouTube channel. Click below to enjoy:
