Hanna Remes

Conductor of Helsingin Laulu

Hanna Remes (1973-), born in the city of Kemi in the south western part of Lapland, founded her first choir Toivola Children Choir, at the age of 17 in her home town and directed the choir until spring 2000.

In 1996 she completed her examination in musical pedagogue at the Conservatory of Central Finland (Keski-Suomen konservatorio) majoring piano playing. She graduated as the Master of Arts in Music from the Sibelius Academy Church Music Department in March 2001 specializing in singing and Choral Conducting.

Hanna Remes carried on with her studies in Choral Conducting in Sibelius Academy under the guidance of Matti Hyökki and completed the A-Diploma in Choral Conducting with excellent degrees in March 2004. She graduated as the Master of Arts from the faculty of Choral and Orchestral Conducting majoring Choral Conducting in June 2006.

Remes has been the conductor of the mixed choir Helsingin Laulu since autumn 1998 and of the mixed choir Kilven Kuoro since autumn 2000. She also conducts the chamber choir SonorEnsemble, which she founded in autumn 2002.

Remes started as the Executive Director of Finnish Church Music Association (Suomen Kirkkomusiikkiliitto ry) in the beginning of January 2009. Remes works also as diocesan organist in Helsinki Bishopric Chapter. Besides she is the Director of the Children’s Church Music Festival, “Lasten kirkko soikoon” of the Helsinki Parish Corporation (Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä).

Remes teaches piano playing in the Finnish Chorus Institute, Suomen Kuoro-opisto, since autumn 1998. Remes has also been teaching conducting of children choirs in Sibelius Academy at the Church Music Department and before that she was the visiting lecturer in Pirkanmaa Polytechnic (Pirkanmaan Ammattikorkeakoulu) for conducting the children choirs.

Remes was recently elected the Art Director of the Musical Board of Sulasol (The Association of Choirs and Orchestras in Finland) Mixed Choirs Association, Sekakuoroliitto for the second year in row.