Mari Kaasinen
Executive Director
spol.toiminnanjohtaja@gmail.com
+358 45 207 2772
Membership register, communications, merit badges and acknowledgements, social media, training and education, sheet music sales and music publishing.
I am a brass instrument teacher and wind orchestra conductor from Northern Ostrobothnia. Working with children and brass septet music are especially close to my heart.
Sami Ruusuvuori
Chair
spol.pj@gmail.com
+358 40 560 9308
Term of office: 2026
Social media, international affairs.
I serve as Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Police Band. In addition, I regularly work as a guest conductor and lecturer both in Finland and abroad.
Website:https://www.samiruusuvuori.com
Tiiu Tuominen
Vice Chair
tiiu.tuominen@gmail.com
+358 40 963 7701
Term of office: 2025–2026
Website
I work as a teacher at the Läntinen Keski-Suomi Music Institute, where my duties also include serving as Vice Principal. My roots in wind music go back to Harjavalta, and the most important environment for my musical development was Puhkupillit, the wind orchestra of the University of Jyväskylä. I served for many years as Secretary on the Board of the Finnish Wind Band Association. My interests include pedagogy and symphonic wind orchestra repertoire.
Juhani Valtasalmi
Treasurer (not a Board Member)
spol.talous@gmail.com
+358 50 555 9880
Term of office: 2026
Invoicing
I work as Chief Conductor of the Lapland Military Band. I also do orchestration, arranging and music engraving, particularly for wind orchestras, and give private lessons to those interested in conducting.
https://www.juhanivaltasalmi.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JuhaniValtasalmi
Sanna Engström
Board Member
sanna.engstrom@riihimaki.fi
+358 44 5728255
Term of office: 2025–2026
Social media, international affairs.
I am a clarinettist from Turku and currently work as a clarinet teacher at Riihimäki Music Institute and as conductor of the Turku Workers’ Association Band. I also work as a freelance musician. Wind music has always been close to my heart and has also had a major influence on my choice of profession.
Simo Haapalehto
Board Member
simeon66@gmail.com
+358 44 5111966
Term of office: 2025–2026
Member magazine
Originally from Joensuu and now based in Kymenlaakso, I enjoy cooking and playing the trumpet. I play with UIPO, the Faitterit Band, the MPK South-Eastern Finland Band and the Kymenlaakso Wind Music Association. I also serve on the boards of the Kymenlaakso Wind Music Association, the Kotka Youth Orchestra Association and the Lieksa Brass Week Support Association. Alongside work and music-making, I have volunteered at Hamina Tattoo and worked as a presenter on Vaskiradio.
Soila Takanen
Board Member
soila.takanen@gmail.com
040 574 3173
Term of office: 2025–2026
Music publishing, member magazine
I am a conductor (MMus), music teacher (MA) and active member of the wind music community, originally from Kuortane. I currently work as a conductor with the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces. Wind music has become both my passion and my profession, and I have collaborated with a wide range of wind music organisations across Finland, working with both professional and amateur ensembles.
Ville Karjalainen
Board Member ville.karjalainen@edu.tohmajarvi.fi
040 8347122
Term of office: 2026-2027
Member magazine layout, music publishing
I teach at the Central Karelia Music Institute, where my subjects include brass instruments, composition and arranging, as well as directing various chamber ensembles. I also work as a freelance musician in a wide range of ensembles and handle the layout of SPOL’s member magazine. I love my work as a communicator of music, both as a teacher and as a musician.
Hanna-Mari Lehtonen
Board Member
info@hannamarilehtonen.fi
040 578 8262
Term of office: 2026–2027
Editor-in-Chief of the member magazine
I am a musician and cultural producer based in Lempäälä. I received my pedagogical training at PIRAMK and studied conducting at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. In my professional work, I conduct orchestras at Riihimäki Music Institute, where I serve as the teacher responsible for ensemble playing, as well as a choir at Riihimäki Adult Education Centre. In my free time, I run my small business, Pink Baton Productions. Through my company, I work as a conductor, composer and lecturer, giving courses and workshops in Finland and abroad. Several of my works are represented in the United States by Leading Tones Music LLC.
Website: www.hannamarilehtonen.fi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannamarilehtonen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannamarilehtonen
Anna-Leena Lumme
Board Member
lumme.annaleena@gmail.com
+358 50 5485508
Term of office: 2026-2027
Social media
I work as a trumpet lecturer and conductor of wind orchestras at the Pirkanmaa Music Institute, and I also train conductors across Finland. I serve on the boards of the Pirkanmaan Pinna Association and the Tampere Wind Orchestra Association. I am also a founding member of the Finnish Symphonic Wind Orchestra and one of its two conductors.
Website: annaleenalumme.com
Anssi Autio
Board Member
anssi.j.autio@kolumbus.fi
+358 50 301 6178
Term of office: 2026-2027
I am a long-time wind music enthusiast, with more than 50 years of playing behind me. My father conducted the Soini Band, and I was already attending its rehearsals before I reached school age. At present, the ensembles closest to me are Töölö Brass, Sinetti-Seitsikko and the Kauniainen Symphony Orchestra. These days, I play the cornet more than the trumpet. I also have extensive experience in association work, particularly through serving as Chair of Töölö Brass and Sinetti-Seitsikko, as a long-standing Board Member of the Lieksa Brass Week Support Association, and through my work as a banking lawyer.