When FinnFest begins Wednesday, July 26, for its five-day run at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center and other locations in Duluth, among the music, dancing, workshops and seminars will be University of Wisconsin-Superior alumna Teresa Aho.

“FinnFest USA is an annual festival that is held in various locations throughout the United States to recognize the people and culture of Finland, Europe as well as Finnish American people and culture,” she said. “Each year, the FinnFest USA organization reaches out to communities, invites people to get involved, thereby bringing people and communities together who share an interest in being part of the festival. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities and there is truly something for everyone.”

A 1981 graduate who received a Bachelor of Music: K-12 music education, Aho is being featured on several different panels and performances for her contributions to Finnish music and heritage.

“For me, it is a privilege and a joy to share my passion for Finnish American music,” said Aho. “Performing this music is something that I have wanted to do since I was a young girl.”

For Aho, that young introduction to Finnish music has been a guiding force.

“I begged my father to buy me an accordion,” she said “I remember being inspired as a preschooler when I listened to my father play this music on his accordion. This music is really a part of who I am. Being of Finnish heritage, I recognize the importance of sharing Finnish American music and traditions as well as the Finnish language. It is exciting to bring people together through music, and it provides a wonderful outlet for teaching and learning.”   

Along with the accordion, Aho added the cello, violin and piano – and can also play guitar and tenor saxophone. She’s also been known to squeeze out a few songs on the concertina. That musical background was strengthened during her time at UW-Superior.

“I studied two instruments during my time at UW-Superior,” Aho said. “I studied the violin with Diane Balko, who was the concertmaster of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO). I also studied the cello with Johann Lingeman and Eugenia Slezak. I have fond memories of the practice rooms in Holden Fine Arts. One of the highlights was successfully auditioning for the DSSO and being named assistant principal cellist.”

Performing at the upcoming FinnFest, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is nothing new for Aho.

“My family band has performed for Finnish celebrations since I was a young girl,” said Aho. “We have performed at various FinnFests and Finnish celebrations around the Midwest, including Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin as well as Canada and the East Coast.”

According to its press release, FinnFest USA is a non-profit corporation founded in 1983 in Minneapolis. The corporation’s mission is both educational and commemorative: to connect Americans to contemporary Finland and Finnish America and to deepen Americans’ understanding of how these two small cultures contribute to American and global culture.

“Music and dancing are my favorite, but there is something for everyone,” said Aho. “There are lectures, classes, concerts, films, theatrical performances, exhibitions and ceremonies. Also, a crowd favorite is the Tori, which is a marketplace in the DECC’s Pioneer Hall that includes local artists, merchants and demonstrations, as well as vendors with a huge variety of items for sale.” 

The already full festival will be even more eventful for Aho.

“My family band will perform the opening dance on Thursday, July 27, at the Holiday Inn,” she said. “On Friday, I will be a part of a panel discussion about Finnish American Folk music where we will discuss and demonstrate Finnish American music as well as the different dance styles. On Friday afternoon, my sister and daughter will be joining me in a classical performance at the Tori. I will also be performing with the FinnFest Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday evening along with my sister in the second violin section.”

The musical performances will feature an assortment of instruments and compositions.

“My daughter, sister and I will perform various classical pieces by composers such as Frosini, Sibelius, Rimsky-Korsakov and Astor Piazzolla,” said Aho. “I will perform some pieces on the accordion and also the cello. My daughter, Kristiina, will perform on the bassoon and my sister, Terri, will perform on the violin.”  

The family performance will also be a sort of UW-Superior reunion.

“I would like to give credit to UW-Superior – and especially the Music Department – for providing an excellent education for me and other members of my family,” said Aho. “Not only did I graduate from UW-Superior, but so did my daughter, Kristiina Thums (Class of 2020), with a music education degree. My sister, Terri, also attended UW-Superior for her first three years of undergraduate study. We are definitely loyal fans of UW-Superior.”