Aleksi Sarkkinen (b. 2013) began studying the piano in 2022 at the Espoo Music Institute under the guidance of Rebekka Angervo. Prior to this, he had been playing the piano independently for approximately two years.
Aleksi has completed the studies corresponding to the Advanced Syllabus of the Finnish Basic Education in the Arts in Music within a short period of time. He has performed in numerous concerts and achieved success in several international and national piano competitions.
In 2026, he was awarded Second Prize at the international WPTA Iceland Piano Competition in Iceland, in Category I (ages 10–14), and Third Prize at the international MozArte Piano Competition in Germany, in the Junior Category. At the MozArte competition, he also received the Audience Award in both Junior and Young Professionals Categories. In July 2026, he won First Prize in Category D (ages 11–12) at the international Finlandia Piano Competition. Previously, he has received awards at, among others, the Tapiola Piano Competition, the Città di San Donà di Piave International Piano Competition in Italy, and the Leevi Madetoja Competition in 2025.
At masterclasses, Aleksi has received instruction from several distinguished Finnish and international pianists, including Andrea Bonatta, Massimiliano Ferrati, Andreas Frölich, Johan Fröst, Ivari Ilja, Vanessa Latarche, Niklas Pokki, and Matti Raekallio.
He was selected for the Young Piano Academy in spring 2026.
(Photo © Ilkka Karppanen)