Merzi Rajala (fin) – Choir leader, Conductor, Arranger, Musician

Finnish rhythmic choir conducting pioneer, composer and pedagogue,

specialised in popular music / global music genres, fusions,

transcultural collaboration and collective improvisation.

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Merzi works as lecturer in Global Music Program /
Sibelius Academy, University of Arts Helsinki,
and is known as the developer for Global Choir Leadership study-option,

looking into the leadership of collective singing
from wide cultural and aesthetic perspective.
She sees choral conducting skills as a great artistic vehicle

to contribute to the society and the world around us all.

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Merzi also teaches and leads different community engagement projects-

globally – in the field of artistic activity.

Merzi appreciates multicultural and multidisciplinary dialog

as part of her own growth and identity as artist and pedagog.

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At the moment, Merzi is the artistic director of three concepts
1) Choirs for Ecocide Law: a global initiative to criminalize environmental destruction through choral music.
2) Tampere Vocal Festival: the biggest vocal festival in Finland, 2025 content focus and theme in artistic influencing
3) SibaFest, Sibelius Academy University of Arts festival
presenting current innovation in the university music pedagogy, artistic expression and research.

”I wish to be a musician, in a holistic way”
You can mail me in this address:
merja.rajala(at)uniarts.fi

NEWS:

1000 singers sung the Choirs for Ecocide Law – concert
in Helsinki Music House in April 2024,
the documentary film of the concert process ”Me-We” by Carl Eneroth
won silver prize in Paris Film Awards, July 2024.

Merzi as the Artistic Director of Tampereen Sävel Vocal Festival
CHECK OUT HERE: https://tamperevocal.fi/en/

Artist for sustainable future documentary has been released;
Sibelius Academy & Reseach Council of Finland
(Merzi´s Global Music Group, MuTe group and scientists)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vuV2II8bA

Merzi got Finnish Music-makers prize
for her work as composer and vocal arranger
27.10.2020
nomination article 2020

Merzi got the cultural prize of the year from Porvoo,
her home town. 12.12.2019

Merzi got nominated as ”the choir conductor of year 2019”
by Finnish Choir Conductors Assosiation (8.2.20198)
http://kuoronjohtajat.fi/merzi-rajala-on-vuoden-kuoronjohtaja-2019/

Examples of workshops and festivals Merzi has worked:

Aarhus Vocal Festival, RAMA Voices, Denmark 30.5- 2.6.2019
http://aavf.dk/speaker/rama-voices/

Workshops of rhythm and groove, Tampereen Sävel 8.6.2019
https://tamperemusicfestivals.fi/vocal/tapahtuma/merzin-rytmiklinikka/

Vocal Painting Symposium 2019, Denmark 24.-26.6.2019
https://www.facebook.com/events/2110683252385862/

Blackforest Voices, festival, Germany, 27.-30.6.2019
http://www.blackforestvoices.com

8. Internationales Vocal Jazz-seminar 2019, Trossingen, Germany, 19.-26.7.2019
https://www.facebook.com/events/8-internationales-vocal-jazz-seminar-2019/314908835791080/

You can also contact me trough this form: