Cellist Anna Westerlund, originally from Helsinki, has served as the principal solo cellist of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra since January 2025. Westerlund graduated in spring 2024 with a Master of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy, studying under Professor Marko Ylönen. Her previous important teachers have included Taru Aarnio at the East Helsinki Music Institute, Timo Hanhinen at the Sibelius Academy, and Torleif Thedéen at the Norwegian National Academy of Music.
Known above all as a dedicated chamber musician, Westerlund is a familiar face at Finnish festivals and has achieved success with her chamber ensembles in competitions both in Finland and abroad.
Westerlund has appeared as a guest principal cellist with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as serving as principal cello in the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Westerlund plays a Claude Pierray cello from 1714, owned by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.