Okko Kivikataja, conductor

Okko Kivikataja holds a master's degree in orchestral conducting and clarinet from the Sibelius Academy, as well as a bachelor's degree in music pedagogy from the Helsinki University of Applied Sciences.

Kivikataja is currently a full professor at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, where he is responsible for teaching wind instruments, chamber music and orchestra. He also teaches clarinet pedagogy at the Sibelius Academy.

Active as a clarinetist and conductor, Kivikataja regularly performs with symphony orchestras and conducts various ensembles in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

He is a founding member of the Quintet Fantasia, which won first prize at the Henri Tomasi International Wind Competition in Marseille in 2009.

In addition to classical music, Kivikataja has a great passion for jazz. He has played clarinet and saxophone in several jazz groups.