Janika Lentsius

b. January 3, 1973 Tartu
Member of the Estonian Flute Association
Member of Association of Estonian Professional Musicians since 2005

Janika Lentsius started her music studies with piano and flute classes in Tartu First Music School. In 1992 she graduated as a flutist from Heino Eller Tartu Music School under the guidance of Lande Lampe-Kits and in 1996 from Estonian Academy of Music in Jaan Õun’s class. She obtained the Master’s degree at Estonian Academy of Music in flute performance with Matti Helin. She has improved her skills in master classes of chamber music - Villa Musica (Germany 1996, 1998) and Jeunesses Musicales (1997). As a member of the Estonian Flute Association she has organized summer courses for young flutists in Rõuge.

In season 1995/96, she played in World Youth Orchestra. In 1996, she won award with ensemble Ekstemporistid at The Annual Youth Culture Festival in Düsseldorf. Since 1997, she became the member of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

As a valuable soloist and chamber musician she has performed together with many Estonian musicians, including Heiki Mätlik (guitar), Tatjana Lepnurm (harp), Urmas Vulp, Arvo Leibur (violin), Tarmo Eespere, Kalle Randalu, Kadri-Ann Sumera, Ralf Taal (piano), Henry-David Varema, Aare Tammesalu (cello), Villu Veski (saxophone), Kristjan Mäeots, Madis Metsamart (percussion), René Soom (baritone), Rauno Elp (baritone), Kaia Urb, Heli Veskus Kädy Plaas (soprano) and others. With Heiki Mätlik, Kaia Urb and Urmas Vulp they appear as a guitar-quartet of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Lentsius has performed in Estonian music festivals NYYD (1995, 1999), Estonian Music Days (1997) and also in EXPO 2000 (Hannover) and International Festival of Contemporary Music and Arts Perspectives of 21st Century (2000, Yerevan). She has given concerts in several places of Europe and Russia.

Janika Lentsius has given premieres of many works by Estonian composers, e. g. Lepo Sumera’s cycle Odalisques and Heart Affairs, Mati Kuulberg’s Glance into Oneself. In addition to music by foreign composers, her repertoire consists of works by other Estonian composers like Ester Mägi, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Peeter Vähi, René Eespere, Raimo Kangro and others. She has recorded several CD-s, including works by Estonian composers – “Cantus – Estonian Chamber music from the 1990-s“ (Finlandia Records, 1998), „Lepo Sumera.Chamber Music“ (Antes, 2002), „Significatio. Estonian Chamber Music“ (ER, 2000), „Raimo Kangro. Displays“ (EMIK, 2004) and „Lepo Sumera. Mushroom Cantata and other Choral works“ (BIS Records, 2005).

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