Maleena Linjama (b. 1992) is a Finnish composer, pianist and singer with a soft spot for old jazz. As a rapidly rising name on the national music scene, her distinctively beautiful soundscape is praised by critics, audiences and performers. Her music fuses impressionism, jazz and late romanticism. Being a bird enthusiast, Linjama’s works often comment on environmental topics.

Linjama’s works include a piano concerto, works for symphonic wind orchestra, choir, film music, chamber music and solo works. Her works are regurlarly performed in renowned festivals and competitions, such as MusicaNova, Lux Musicae, Lappeenranta singing competition, Helsinki Lied, Kamarihelmi, Rakkautta & Anarkiaa Film Festival, Toivo Kuula singing competition, Musequal, Sibafest, Eloa, Music Institute Juvenalia XII Chamber Music Competition and Arabia Kaikuu. Member of the Society of Finnish Composers.

Maleena Linjama (b. 1992) is a Finnish composer, pianist and singer with a soft spot for old jazz. She has been composing since the age of six, but only at the end of her piano teacher studies she realised that composing felt like the most important and unique form of musicianship for her. The soundscapes of nature documentaries, cinematography and the combination of visual elements with music have fascinated her since childhood. The inspiration for many of her compositions has come from a picture or a landscape. She is also a bird enthusiast, and her music often comments on environmental topics.

Linjama’s soundscape is a distinctive combination of impressionism, late romanticism and old jazz. She studied singing at the jazz department of the Sibelius Academy and feels that this has broadened and liberated her musical style. 

“I don’t exactly plan my works in advance, but they emerge through experimentation and listening, like a jigsaw-like painting, gradually coming together and becoming more precise. Improvisation is the most important part of my composing. In my opinion, the most liberating aspect of composing is openness and the ability to break out of compartments: it is often by combining different styles that one finds the most fascinating soundscapes.” -Linjama.

Linjama (Master of Arts, Sibelius-Academy, 2024) has studied composition with Matthew Whittall and Juhani Nuorvala, and taken composition master classes with i.e. Chaya Chernowin, Daniel Kellogg, Stephen Endelman and Lisa Fornhammar. Linjama’s works are regularly performed on renowned festivals and competitions, such as MusicaNova, Lux Musicae, Lappeenranta singing competition, Helsinki Lied, Musequal and Kamarihelmi Festival.

Maleena Linjama (b. 1992) is a Finnish composer, pianist and singer with a soft spot for old jazz. As a rapidly rising name on the national music scene, her distinctively beautiful soundscape is praised by critics, audiences and performers.

Her music fuses impressionism, jazz and late romanticism. Linjama is also a bird enthusiast, and her works often comment on environmental topics. Linjama’s works include a piano concerto, works for symphonic wind orchestra, choir, film music, chamber music and solo works. Member of the Society of Finnish Composers.

Linjama’s music is regurlarly performed in renowned festivals and competitions, such as MusicaNova, Lux Musicae, Lappeenranta singing competition, Helsinki Lied, Kamarihelmi, Rakkautta & Anarkiaa Film Festival, Toivo Kuula singing competition, Sibafest, Eloa, Music Institute Juvenalia XII Chamber Music Competition and Arabia Kaikuu.

Linjama studied composition in Sibelius Academy (Master of the Arts, 2024) with Matthew Whittall and Juhani Nuorvala. She has taken part in masterclasses with world class artists such as Chaya Czernowin, Daniel Kellogg, Stephen Endelman, Lisa Fornhammar, Miika Hyytiäinen, Niels Rosing-Schow, Jörgen Häll, Anne-Liis Poll, Anto Pett ja Knut Vaage. Linjama is also a piano teacher (UAS, 2016, with Joonas Pohjonen) and jazz singer (main instrument studies in Sibelius Academy, with Mia Simanainen ja Jenny Robson).

Linjama’s works have been commissioned by i.e. Lux Musicae Festival, The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces, Finnish Male Choir Association, Music Institute Juvenalia, Tiina Karakorpi, Iris Candelaria, Tanja Niiranen, and E-T Lied.

Her works have been performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Helsinki Police Symphonic Band, The Polytech Choir, Helsinki Police Male Voice Choir, The Living Pictures Chamber Orchestra, Andreas Brantelid, Juho Pohjonen, Ilmo Ranta, Piia Komsi, Iris Candelaria, Sirja Nironen, Anna Ginström, Emma Hartikainen, Stella Tähtinen, Minna-Leena Lahti, Dávid Szilasi, Tanja Niiranen, Elisar Riddelin, Artturi Aalto, Tiina Karakorpi, Hannele Ahola, Kiryl Bartashevich, Sadelilja Larimo, Collin Hansen, Otto Nuoranne, Johannes Elfving, Niina Ranta, Matleena Nyman, Taavi Oramo, Mariola Aniolek and Georgy Ideykin.

Linjama’s work has been supported by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), Finnish Cultural Foundation (SKR), Teosto, the Sibelius Fund of the Society of Finnish Composers, the Finnish Music Foundation (MES), Martin Wegeliuksen muisto -Foundation and Sibelius-Academy Foundation.