In English
I’m Maija Ruuskanen, a Finnish composer, musician, conductor, and music theatre professional. Based on Helsinki but from Savonlinna - greatest lake area in Finland.
At the moment I compose mostly on big stage productions. I studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and soon became active in both contemporary and theatre music scenes. My work spans classical compositions, jazz-flavoured pop, sound design, and music for theatre and performance.
My first opera, Herääminen (Awakening, 2017), written for baritone, choir, saxophone quartet, and percussion, tells the story of Paavo Ruotsalainen and themes of mercy and forgiveness. The opera is also released as an album.
My second opera, Äärimmäisyys (Extremity, 2021), written for mezzo-soprano, choir and harmonium speaks about vanishing species, human greediness, searching for the peace and truth from the perspective of St. Clare of Assisi, the woman who committed her life to live in radical poverty.
As a songwriter, I founded the Ruuskanen Railio Company in 2003 and released our first recording, Tänään (Today), in 2006. My artistic work has been supported by several grants, most recently from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
Alongside composing and performing, I collaborate widely with Finnish musicians and serve on the boards of Teosto and other organizations, where I advocate for openness and stronger rights for composers.
SELECTED WORKS
Nämä juhlat jatkuvat vielä
Theatre Play | Finnish National Theatre 2026, Turku City Theatre 2025
Itseen kirjoitettu based on Didier Eribon's novel Return to Reims
Theatre Play | Tampereen työväen teatteri 2026
Talvisirkus Filmi
Circus | Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth 2025
Erään itsemurhan anatomia (Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch)
Circus | Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth 2025
Talvisirkus Fantasia
Circus | Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth 2024
Äärimmäisyys (Extremity)
Opera | Music Theatre Kapsäkki 2021
Lehman Trilogy (Lehman-trilogia)
Play | Espoo City Theatre 2020 | TTT 2022
Saxophone Quartetto
Commissioned work for Akateeminen Saksofonikvartetti 2018
Mauri ja mini-isoveli
Theatre Play | Finnish National Theatre 2018 | Imatra City Theatre 2019
Herääminen (Awakening)
Opera | Musiikkiteatteri Kapsäkki 2017
Vaskivuorentie 20
Radio theatre play | YLE 2017
Mauri ja vähä-älypuhelin
Play | Finnish National Theatre 2016
Puluboin ja Ponin teatteri
Music theatre play | Finnish National Theatre 2015
Puistokabaree
Musical | Musiikkiteatteri Kapsäkki 2015
Bodyscapes/Kehamaastikud
Sound art | Museum of Estonian Architecture, Tallinn 2015
Puputyttö
Radio theatre play | YLE 2014 & 2019
Sauna
Mask theatre | Teatteri Metamorfoosi 2011