Jarmo Niininen

Jarmo Niininen, a native of Ruovesi, began his percussion studies at the Merikanto Music Institute under the guidance of Risto Skrikberg. After graduating from high school, he continued his studies at the Palmgren Conservatory in Pori with Toni Hietala and Mads Büchert.

His musical journey then took him to the Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), where he studied with Harri Lehtinen, Jyri Kurri, and Janne Tuomi, before advancing to the Sibelius Academy. At the academy, his teachers included Antti Rislakki, Pasi Suomalainen, Lassi Erkkilä, Samuli Viitanen, Jerry Piipponen, and Kazutaka Morita. Niininen has also participated in masterclasses led by distinguished percussionists such as Christopher Lamb (New York Philharmonic), Gregory Zuber (Metropolitan Opera), Eriko Daimo, Pius Cheung, and She-e Wu. He graduated with a Master of Music degree in early 2024.

Niininen has gained extensive orchestral experience, having performed with nearly every symphony orchestra in Finland, including the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra. He joined the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra as Co-Principal Percussionist in the autumn of 2026.

In his free time, Jarmo enjoys spending time at his cottage in Ruovesi. He dreams of getting a Finnish Spitz, the “Swiss Army knife of dogs”, to join him as a companion for cottage life and outdoor adventures!