Janne Pesonen

Janne Pesonen began his clarinet studies at the Espoo Music Institute and continued his professional training first at the Helsinki Conservatory and later at the Sibelius Academy, where he completed the A‑level diploma in 1997 under Harri Mäki. In addition to the Tampere Philharmonic, he has performed with nearly every professional orchestra in Finland.

Even after three decades as a professional musician, he still feels he is living his dream, drawing weekly inspiration from great music and colleagues. New music and collaboration with contemporary composers are especially important and motivating to him, particularly through his work with TampereRaw, of which he is a founding member.

At home, Janne lives with his musician spouse, a bad-tempered 54‑year‑old cockatoo, and two Bohemian Shepherds. He is deeply involved in training and competing with the dogs, who in turn insist on taking part in his own practice sessions. The older one, especially, joins in by howling along.