Born in 1976 in Espoo, Finland. Took violin lessons with Geza Szilvay at the Institute of Music in Southern Helsinki. He began studies in the class of Tuomas Haapanen in 1985, then in the years 1992-96 he studied with Miriam Fried and Paul Bess at the Indiana University School of Music. In 1995 he was the first Finnish participant to win the Sibelius International Violin Competition, he also received a special prize for the best performance of Sibelius Violin Concerto. Since then he has won numerous awards, he cooperates with Ondine record company.
Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and distinctive musicians working today. He is increasingly seen directing ensembles from the violin. What distinguishes him from other violinists of his generation is his desire and ability to improvise and his love of playing many different styles of music, channelling the same intensity into each genre (folk, jazz, electronic music).
Pekka Kuusisto plays Giovanni Battisa Guadagnini violin (1752) generously on loan from the Finnish Cultural Foundation.