Seppinen was born in Helsinki in 1976.[1] She spent part of her early childhood in Paris.[2] She began her musical studies at the age of seven, playing the violin at a Helsinki music school. At around the same time, she began singing in a choir, which became an important childhood hobby. She switched instruments to the piano at the age of 14, and some time later took up singing as her main instrument.[2][3]
In 2014, Seppinen was selected for the Finnish National Opera's KapuApu programme for Sibelius Academy conducting students, being mentored in opera production and conducting by chief conductor Michael Güttler.[6]
Seppinen's long-time private vocal teacher is Finnish opera singer and mezzo-soprano Eeva-Liisa Saarinen [fi].[1][2]
Professional career
For a brief period in 2003, succeeding Mia Makaroff, Seppinen directed the Helsinki-based female voice choir Evivakören. She was succeeded by Michaela Ijäs née Johansson.[1] From 2004 to 2005, she directed the girls' choir Serenakören. She was succeeded by Nina Kronlund.[7]
In 2005, Seppinen was appointed artistic director of the Helsinki-based academic mixed voice choir Wiipurilaisen Osakunnan Laulajat [fi], also known as WiOL.[8] She stepped down in 2011, having directed the choir for six years.
In 2009, having received her first MMus degree a year prior, Seppinen was appointed artistic director of the Academic Female Voice Choir Lyran (Swedish: Akademiska Damkören Lyran), the only female voice choir affiliated with the University of Helsinki, succeeding Kari Turunen.[8][9] Under her leadership, the choir has expanded its stylistic width and its repertoire into new genres.[5]
As a mezzo-soprano, Seppinen has given solo concerts, been part of opera productions, and performed in contemporary music festivals, both in Finland and abroad.[1] She has premiered several vocal works written specifically for her,[5] for example by Heinz-Juhani Hofmann [fi].[10]
Accolades
In 2002, Seppinen finished second in the VocalEspoo (previously known as KuoroEspoo) choral conducting competition. In 2006, she was selected for the international Eric Ericson Award [sv] competition for young choral conductors.[1]
Conducting the Academic Female Voice Choir Lyran at the 30th Praga Cantat International Choir Competition in Prague in October 2016, Seppinen received the Miroslav Košler Special Prize for outstanding conducting performance.[11]
^ abcdefg"Dirigenter" [Conductors]. Evivakören (in Swedish). Helsinki: Evivakören. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
^Dahlström, Fabian (2009). "Serenakören". Uppslagsverket Finland (in Swedish). Helsinki: Svenska folkskolans vänner. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
^ abLindberg, Johan (2016). "Akademiska damkören Lyran". Uppslagsverket Finland (in Swedish). Helsinki: Svenska folkskolans vänner. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
^"Historia" [History]. Lyran (in Swedish). Helsinki: Akademiska Damkören Lyran. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
^Vesa, Karoliina. "The uncomfortable tales of Hofmann". Finnish Music Quarterly. 2012 (2). Translated by Mäntyjärvi, Jaakko. Retrieved 16 November 2016.