Come enjoy typical Finnish American Dance Music from the Finger Lakes of NY!

Metku plays traditional Finnish American dance music as preserved in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. They recently publish a music tune book titled “Finnish Dance Music of the Finger Lakes of NYS”.

Performer Bios:
Katrina Mackey – Katrina grew up in a musical household near Ithaca NY, where her own focus included flute, piano, handbells and vocal ensembles from elementary school through college. She is the sister of Kent Washburn, a recent Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year. In the early-2000s, after observing a musicians’ tent jam circle at the Grassroots Festival, she decided to study violin with the specific intent to learn Finnish tunes. The apprenticeship gave her that opportunity. Her preference was to learn these tunes “by ear,” but she was also aware that tunes can get lost if tradition bearers don’t write them down.

Michael Ludgate – Michael comes from a long line of local Ithaca NY musicians. His grandfather was Morris “Moe” Harper, a jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophone player. Moe’s wife, Ina Knuutila, played classical violin. Michael’s mother, Roberta, played flute and was a well-known local piano accompanist. In 2002, in his mid-forties, Michael picked up his Finnish grandmother’s violin, and taught himself to read treble clef from a Suzuki book. He soon started hosting a weekly Wednesday fiddle and contra dance tune jam from his home which continues today. He predominantly plays mandolin and became interested in learning traditional Finnish music to preserve the tunes and stay connected with his Finnish ancestry.