KARI TURUNEN

Kari Turunen is the Cypress Curator for the Vancouver Chamber Choir Series.

Internationally acclaimed Finnish/Canadian choral conductor Kari Turunen was appointed Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir in 2019, its 49th concert season. After years of working with choirs and ensembles, adjudicating competitions, and giving lectures and workshops both in Finland and across Europe and Asia, this appointment has given him a chance to focus on working with a professional ensemble that performs 20–30 times a year with 10–15 different programs.

In addition to his work with the Chamber Choir, he guest conducts both in Canada and internationally and teaches conducting at the Vancouver Academy of Music. He holds a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the Sibelius Academy of Helsinki and a doctorate in early music performance practice from the University of the Arts, Helsinki. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and enjoys literature, films and outdoor activities, including his great love, cricket.