Kaisa Näreranta

From Wikitia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Kaisa Näreranta
Kaisa 1 - Photo by Sakari Röyskö.jpg
Photo credit Sakari Röyskö
NationalityFinnish
CitizenshipFinnish
Alma mater
  • Turku University of Applied Sciences
  • Lahti University of Applied Sciences
  • Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Occupation
  • Multi-Faceted Cultural Entrepreneur
  • Arts Executive
  • Promoter
  • Mezzo-Soprano
OrganizationTeatro Productions
Height174 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Spouse(s)Antti Pylkkänen[1]
Websiteteatro.fi

Kaisa Näreranta is a Finnish professional operating in the international cultural and music industries. A seasoned entrepreneur, arts administrator, and acclaimed mezzo-soprano, she seamlessly bridges the worlds of business and the performing arts. From leading major cultural institutions to captivating audiences on operatic stages, Näreranta’s career is a testament to her versatility, strategic acumen, and artistic excellence.

Early Career and Business Ventures

Näreranta’s career began in business management before transitioning into the cultural sector. As the Chairperson and principal owner of Kuudi Oy from 2002 to 2017, she oversaw significant growth, including acquisitions that strengthened the company’s market position. Following the sale of its business activities in 2016, she shifted her focus entirely to the cultural and event industries, where she has since established herself as a key figure in arts administration and production.

Teatro Productions Oy (2014 - present)

In 2014, Näreranta founded Teatro Productions Oy,[2] a production company specializing in classical music productions, live events, and media productions. As CEO and principal owner, she has overseen artistic planning, business development, and sponsorship negotiations. Teatro Productions has executed major productions, including so far 13 opera productions, music dramas, concerts, and televised recordings, as well as two documentary films, Taivas ja Helvetti, a film about composer-conductor Kari Tikka,[3] and Universumin kaiut, a documentary portraying the life and music of Kaija Saariaho.[4][5] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company pivoted towards media productions, pioneering livestream concerts and video productions for the performing arts sector.

Leadership in Cultural Institutions

Kaisa Näreranta’s deep roots as a mezzo-soprano have not only shaped her artistic career but have also given her a distinct perspective on the business side of the arts. Her experience as a performer allows her to understand the challenges and intricacies of the cultural sector from an artist’s viewpoint, enriching her approach to arts administration and management. This unique insight has been invaluable in her leadership roles within major cultural institutions, where she has seamlessly bridged the gap between artistic vision and organizational strategy.

Helsinki International Film Festival - Love & Anarchy Association (HIFF) (March 2024 - November 2024)

As the Executive Director of HIFF, Näreranta was responsible for financial management, budgeting, strategic planning, fundraising, and partnerships.[6][7] She led a permanent team of professionals and was responsible for recruiting and managing temporary staff for the festival. Under her leadership, the festival’s marketing strategy was successfully revised, leading to a notable increase in audience engagement. She also secured new sponsorships and expanded funding opportunities, strengthening the festival’s financial foundation before stepping down in November 2024 to pursue further studies.[8]

Helsinki Music Centre Foundation (March 2018 - February 2024)

Näreranta served as the Secretary General of the Helsinki Music Centre Foundation and as the project manager for the Helsinki Music Centre Organ Project. She was responsible for coordinating the project’s financing, stakeholder relations, communication, and administration. As part of the project’s steering group, she managed the work of the planning committee. She also directed the "Urut Soimaan - Play the Organ" fundraising campaign, which significantly exceeded its original target, securing substantial final corporate donations in autumn 2023.[9]

Board Memberships and Leadership Positions

  • Board Member, Helsinki Conservatory (2003 - 2006)
  • Chair, Helsinki Philharmonic Choir (2008 - 2010)
  • Board Member, Vantaa Entrepreneurs Association (2007 - 2016)
  • Chair, Finnish Opera Association (2016 - Present)
  • Vice Chair, Musiikkitalon Urut Soimaan Ry (2019 - 2024)
  • Secretary, Richard Wagner Cultural Association (2012 - present)

Career as a Mezzo-soprano

Kaisa Näreranta’s career as a mezzo-soprano has seen her perform a diverse range of roles in both opera and concert settings.[10][11] She initially began her musical career as a violinist but switched her primary focus to classical voice upon entering professional studies. Näreranta graduated as a musician from the Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Music and Drama Institute, in the spring of 2016, majoring in classical singing. Her teachers have included Satu Vihavainen and Taina Piira, and she has further refined her studies through masterclasses with Irina Gavrilovic, Ritva Auvinen, Franz Lukasovsky, and Maria Kowollik. Her Lied studies have been guided by Heikki Pellinen and Ilmo Ranta.

Näreranta has performed as a soloist in various productions, including choir and orchestra concerts. Possessing a broad vocal range, she has sung both soprano and mezzo-soprano repertoires, ultimately establishing herself as a mezzo-soprano. She was a member of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir from 2004–2007, 2010–2012, and 2014–2015.

Her notable early opera and operetta roles include Rosalinde in J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Barbara in A Night in Venice, and the title role in G. Puccini’s Suor Angelica. In autumn 2015, Näreranta portrayed Aino Sibelius in the new musical drama Soivaksi kirjoitettu, which was performed at Lahti Sibelius Hall and Helsinki’s Finlandia Hall. In the summer of 2017, she appeared as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Weimar Opera Studio in Germany. In 2018, she played the Queen in M. Autio’s children’s opera Princess Adalmina on a nationwide tour in Finland.

She performed as Adalgisa in V. Bellini’s Norma at Espoo’s Sellosali in autumn 2018 and at the Narva Opera Days in Estonia in 2019. In January 2019, she sang the role of Bertha in the Helsinki Opera Association’s production of Die Loreley (F. Pacius) at Aleksanterin Theatre. In August 2019, she performed as Wellgunde in the children’s opera Das Rheingold at Helsinki Music Centre. In January 2020, she starred in the title role of J. Offenbach’s operetta La belle Hélène at Sellosali, followed by the role of Helena in Kari Tikka’s Rakkaus on väkevä kuin kuolema in October 2020.

Näreranta’s repertoire spans opera, operetta, lied, and oratorio. She has performed as a soprano soloist in Bach’s St. John Passion, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah, as well as an alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem. She has also premiered works by Miikka Kallio and Miika Hyytiäinen. In Hyytiäinen’s piece Aikainen, she performed as the 2nd Norn, with performances in Berlin, Helsinki, and London in 2014. In August 2023, she premiered Olli Kortekangas’ Vähän ennen yötä with the vocal ensemble TriAngel, which toured Finland in 2024.

Näreranta was awarded the 2016 Bayreuth Scholarship by the Richard Wagner Cultural Association.

Education

  • MBA, Turku University of Applied Sciences (expected 2025)
  1. Specialization: Cultural and Arts Management
  2. Thesis: Good Governance and Identifying Conflicts of Interest in Cultural Organizations
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (2019)
  1. Thesis: Internationalization Strategy for a Cultural Business
  • Bachelor of Music, Lahti University of Applied Sciences (2016)
  1. Major: Classical Voice, Minor: Violin
  2. Thesis: Opera Production and Role Preparation

Languages

  • Finnish
  • English
  • Swedish
  • German

Personal Interests

Näreranta enjoys cross-country skiing, golf, road cycling, and audiobooks. She is known for her strategic mindset, leadership skills, and ability to execute complex cultural projects successfully.

Gallery

  • Photo Credit Sakari Röyskö

  • Photo Credit Sini Pennanen

  • Photo Credit Sakari Röyskö

References

  1. ↑ "HS Kulttuuri". Helsingin Sanomat (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  2. ↑ "Teatro – Ajankohtaista" (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  3. ↑ "A documentary film about the 75-year-old composer Kari Tikka will be finalized with crowdfunding". STT Info. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  4. ↑ "Kari Tikka – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  5. ↑ "Universumin kaiut – Kaija Saariahon musiikki". Wikipedia (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  6. ↑ "Kaisa Nareranta on Helsinki International Film Festival – Rakkautta & Anarkiaa ry:n uusi toiminnanjohtaja". STT Info (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  7. ↑ "Rakkautta & Anarkiaa ry sai uuden toiminnanjohtajan". Rumba (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  8. ↑ "YLE". YLE (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  9. ↑ "YLE". YLE (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  10. ↑ "Podcast: Yle Areena". Yle Areena (in suomi). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  11. ↑ "Ooppera-arvostelu | Offenbachin railakas hupailu upposi yleisöön". Helsingin Sanomat (in suomi). 18 January 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2025.

External links

Retrieved from "https://wikitia.com/index.php?title=Kaisa_Näreranta&oldid=214791"