Lilli Maijala is a Finnish classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a violist and chamber musician. Born on May 22, 1982, in Helsinki, Finland, Maijala grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, Seppo Maijala, is a renowned cellist, and her mother, Marja Maijala, is a pianist. From a young age, Maijala was exposed to classical music and began playing the viola at the age of six. Maijala's talent was evident from the start, and she quickly became a sought-after performer in Finland. She studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music. During her studies, Maijala won several awards, including the first prize in the National Viola Competition in 2001 and the second prize in the International Lionel Tertis Viola Competition in 2003. After completing her studies, Maijala began performing professionally as a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed with many orchestras, including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Tapiola Sinfonietta, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. Maijala has also collaborated with many renowned musicians, including pianist Paavali Jumppanen, cellist Anssi Karttunen, and violinist Pekka Kuusisto. One of Maijala's most significant achievements was her performance of the world premiere of Kaija Saariaho's "Mirrors" for viola and orchestra in 2006. The piece was commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Maijala was chosen to perform it. The performance was a huge success, and Maijala received critical acclaim for her interpretation of the piece. Maijala is also a dedicated chamber musician and has performed with many ensembles, including the Meta4 Quartet, the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, and the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra. In 2008, she founded the Maijala Quartet, which has become one of the most respected chamber ensembles in Finland. The quartet has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Wigmore Hall in London and the Konzerthaus in Vienna. In addition to her performing career, Maijala is also a respected teacher. She has taught at the Sibelius Academy and the Turku Conservatory and has given masterclasses in Finland and abroad. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as musicians. Maijala has received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 2010, she was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Finnish citizen. In 2012, she was named the Young Artist of the Year by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Maijala has also been awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music and the Teosto Prize, which is awarded to Finnish composers and performers. Maijala continues to perform and teach, and her career shows no signs of slowing down. She is known for her passionate and expressive playing, and her dedication to promoting Finnish music and culture. Maijala is a true ambassador for classical music and a shining example of the talent and dedication that can be found in the Finnish music scene.

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