FinnFunn 2026
Meet the People
Presenters, Performers, Organizers
Biographies in progress - check back often for updates.
Eric Aho
By popular demand, FinnFunn welcomes Eric’s return. Born in Melrose, MA, Eric Aho studied at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London, then earned his BFA in printmaking from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. He has exhibited widely in the United States and internationally, with recent solo exhibitions at the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Hood Museum of Art, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Currier Museum of Art. His work is held in permanent collections including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Denver Art Museum, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He lives with his family in Vermont.
Christine Anderson and the Oivan Ilo Dance Band
A joyful Oivan Ilo (Oiva’s Joy) returns to FinnFunn 2026. The dance band began in 1995, named for Christine Anderson’s father, Oiva Anderson (1923–2001), an active member of two Finnish American communities. The group includes John Chambers on accordion, arranging traditional tunes from North America and Europe; John Rosenfelder on bass; Cedwyn Morgan on mandolin and banjo; and Christine Anderson on fiddle. They play listening and dance music across New England and beyond. Since 1992, when Christine and John accompanied the Revontulet Finnish Folk Dancers to Finland’s Kaustinen Folk Festival, the band has regularly played for the troupe.
Mark Babson
Mark grew up in the Finnish community of Lanesville, a village in Gloucester, MA, with deep ties to his heritage — blueberry picking, nisu baking, and Saturday family saunas. Sauna has remained a constant in his life since. Inspired by the U.S. Traveling Sauna tour marking Finland’s 100th anniversary of independence, Mark built a wood-fired mobile sauna, Abundance Sauna and this year has added Gratitude sauna, to bring the experience throughout the region, especially to newcomers — emphasizing enjoyment over endurance. As Mark says: “The simplicity of sauna culture is a welcome oasis in our fast-paced world.”
Arlene Baril
Arlene was born to Finnish and Swedish immigrants in Brooklyn’s Finntown. Her family later moved to Long Island, then, when she was six, settled for good in Brooklyn, Connecticut, home to many relocated Finnish families. A graduate of Eastern Connecticut College, Arlene taught first grade for 31 years. She and her late husband were married 55 years, raising two daughters and later taking great pride in their three grandsons. The couple loved traveling, antique cars, and entertaining family and friends.
Ville Besonen
Ville Besonen is a filmmaker and University of Minnesota–Twin Cities student studying International and Intercultural Communications with a minor in Finnish. A Salolampi Finnish Language Village alumnus, he also studied for a year in Finland, strengthening his language skills and cultural connections. Besonen co-directed Finland, Minnesota with Isaac (Arvo) Hanson, a Finlandia Foundation National grant-supported documentary examining Finnish-American identity and community in the Midwest. He is producing a feature-length documentary marking Salolampi’s 50th anniversary, exploring its cultural legacy and influence on Finnish language education in North America through community-centered storytelling and cultural preservation.
Dan Bisaccio
Dan is the recently retired graduate Director of Science Education and Director of Teacher Education (MA in Teaching) at Brown University. Previously a NH science teacher, he received numerous national, state, and regional teaching honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. He has authored papers on educational pedagogy and published a book, All Children Smile in the Same Language, reflecting on his teaching career. His ongoing research with the Smithsonian’s Biodiversity & Monitoring Program connects students and teachers with field research in Central and South America. He has led programs at The Inn at East Hill Farm since the late 1980s.
Jean Brunter
The granddaughter of four Finnish grandparents who emigrated to the U.S. in the early twentieth century, Jean’s heritage sparked lifelong involvement in central Massachusetts Nordic groups. She’s a board member and past treasurer of the Finnish Heritage Society - Sovittaja, belongs to Nordic Lodge #611 in Worcester, and serves on the FinnFunn New England standing committee. Since returning to her hometown of Holden, MA in 2011, Jean has pursued art, crafts, photography, and travel to Finland. She served as Festival Artist for the 2024 Kesäjuhla Summer Festival at Saima Park in Fitchburg, and placed first in FF21’s costume parade.
Michael Cappello
Mike began his career working as an accountant, but recently has been specializing in statistical theory and analysis of contracts, while also teaching courses in statistics. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his puppy. Michael has Finnish heritage but had not been exposed to it until his teenage years. His grandfather, Roy Helander, introduced him to FinnFunn Weekend, Finnish foods/traditions. Together, they took a Smiley tour to Finland in 2009. Mike enjoys the lectures and people attending FinnFunn and has been on the FinnFunn standing committee since 2020.
Frank Eld
Frank (Harkonen) Eld grew up in the Finnish community near McCall, Idaho, where his father and maternal grandparents homesteaded. He holds a BA in History from Columbia University and a Master’s in Applied Historical Research from Boise State. Founder of the Valley County Museum, Frank spent his career as a teacher, business owner, and Valley County Commissioner. A historian for over fifty years, he specializes in Finnish log construction, publishing Finnish Log Construction: The Art in 2013. Honors include Finlandia Foundation’s Lecturer of the Year (2018-19), Preservation Idaho’s Orchid Award, and the Sauna Bucket Award.
Laodice Flanagan
Cedar and Sol is a mobile wood-fired sauna based in Littleton, Massachusetts, inspired by the Finnish tradition of sauna as a place for restoration, connection, and community. We bring authentic wood-fired sauna experiences to festivals, farms, breweries, wellness events, and private gatherings, making this tradition accessible to people of all backgrounds. Every session is thoughtfully hosted to create a welcoming environment where guests can slow down, recharge, and connect—with themselves and each other. Cedar and Sol exists to honor the spirit of sauna while building community through warmth, hospitality, and shared experiences.
Isaac Hanson
Isaac (Arvo) Hanson is a filmmaker and Finnish language student at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. He co-directed Finland, Minnesota, a Finlandia Foundation National grant-supported documentary with Ville Besonen exploring Finnish-American life, identity, and community in the Midwest. A Salolampi Finnish Language Village alumnus, Hanson combines documentary filmmaking with community engagement to make Finnish heritage meaningful for younger generations. His work emphasizes intergenerational connection, cultural continuity, and everyday lived experience. He is currently producing a feature-length documentary celebrating Salolampi Finnish Language Village’s 50th anniversary, scheduled for release in 2027, highlighting its lasting role in Finnish language education.
Jacqueline Harjula
Jackie oversees the Table Raffle and Silent Auction with Michael Cappello and Arlene Baril, managing the many behind-the-scenes details that keep the event running smoothly. Proud of her Finnish heritage and Mid-Coast Maine roots, she grew up in and still lives within the local Finnish community. Since 2003, Jackie has served as president of the Finnish Heritage House in South Thomaston. She joined Finlandia Foundation National’s board in 2008, serving as secretary and membership on four committees. A cherished veteran of Smiley group tours to Finland, Harjula has attended 30 FinnFunn Weekends.
Barry Heiniluoma
Barry is the moderator of the stories and more panel tis weekend. He has been an active member of the Finnish Heritage Society–Sovittaja of Rutland, Massachusetts, since 1962, continuing a family tradition dating to the society’s founding in 1890. He served as president for more than 25 years and has long collected and shared the history of Finnish Americans through presentations and tours. In 1992 he organized the Worcester Historical Museum exhibition Strength in Diversity: Worcester’s Finnish Community and later helped produce the companion book. Now retired, he remains active in Florida’s Finnish community, serving in leadership roles with several organizations while continuing his lifelong commitment to preserving Finnish-American heritage.
Roy Helander
Roy turns 100 in January, and, for decades, has been a long-time member of the FinnFunn New England standing committee. Roy has been a staple at Finnish-American community events, serving as host, emcee, historian, lecturer, and entertainer countless times. He is a talented actor, pianist and organist, and has been entertaining crowds in theater productions and behind the keyboard for nearly a century. In recognition of his contributions to Finnish-American communities, Roy received Finland’s Order of the White Rose in 1988.
Minea Lindqvist Herwitz
FFW welcomes back Minea Herwitz who’s set to spin tracks throughout the weekend. Herwitz serves as Finlandia Foundation National’s first Communications Director, bringing a background in media production, impact storytelling, and filmmaking, combined with digital marketing expertise as a coach and consultant. She spent over a decade in community bank and nonprofit marketing, highlighting stories of environmental and community impact for local audiences. Fluent in English and Finnish, she holds degrees in Psychology and Literature (Creative Writing). Born and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Minea considers both the U.S. and Finland home.
Kristi Holohan
Kristi (she/they) is a Finnish American artist, organizer, and cultural strategist of Karelian descent. Her visual art focuses on nature, community, healing, resource-sharing, and advocacy for an equitable society, aiming to inspire wonder and deep connection to the world. Holohan’s work has been shown in galleries, museums, and municipal collections across the U.S. and internationally. She recently relocated from California to the Northeast to build and run Pattagansett Art Center, a haven for contemporary and traditional artists to recharge outside the modern world. She loves visiting friends and family across the U.S. and in Finland.
Daniel “Markus” Huisentruit
Markus, a university student from Maryland, first fell in love with Finland at Salolampi Finnish Language Camp. He runs the social media for his local Finlandia chapter - Finlandia Foundation National Capital Chapter. Recently he collaborated with Ville Besonen and Isaac Hanson, videorecording the Kalevala duo as they filmed the documentary “Finland, Minnesota.” According to Huisentruit, living his best life means telling stories from Finnish-America through his passion for filmmaking. Fun fact: Markus has a deep love of Finnish music and has created a video series “Markus’s Matka” where he explores the music scene in Finland.
Judy Jacobetz
A crafter at heart, Judy began her fiber arts journey raising Finn sheep and Angora goats, teaching herself to spin and knit so their fleeces wouldn’t go to waste. Needle felting became her next creative outlet, and she’s taught it for over 20 years. Her students explore color, texture, and shape while building confidence and a connection to the earth through natural materials. Judy is pleased, once again, to bring needle felting to this year’s FinnFunn. She loves knitting for her two grandchildren and felting gnomes year-round.
Helvi Anneli Johnson
Long-time FinnFunn participant, Anneli Johnson is a former educator with UMass Extension and later an Agricultural Marketing Specialist with the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. After retiring, she volunteered in agribusiness with CNFA in Moldova. Anneli is a well-known visiting lecturer on Finnish cuisine at FinnFests and cultural events, having taught Scandinavian cuisine at Quincy College, on local television, and at venues including Fitchburg Art Museum and Heikinpäivät in Hancock, Michigan. She’s been featured in the Patriot Ledger, Boston Herald, Raivaaja, Savon Sanomat, and Koillis Savo, and writes for Quincy Farmers Market. Anneli was born in Mynämäki, Finland.
Gage (Touko) Keränen
Gage is a Finnish-American from Grand Rapids, MI, with roots in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. He’s been active in Finnish communities across the U.S., including Phoenix and Tucson. After studying Conservation Biology at Arizona State University, Gage now works at a nonprofit providing scholarships, legal aid, and programming in Grand Rapids. A passionate community builder, he’s committed to strengthening Finnish-American communities through language learning, folk arts, and educational opportunities.
Saija Laurla
Saija Laurla makes learning Finnish fun and engaging. It’s no wonder Saija has presented for three years now. She joined the FinnFunn New England standing committee in 2026. Born in Helsinki and raised in Vantaa, she traveled abroad frequently as a child, picking up French, English, Spanish, Swedish, and Italian along the way. When her husband was offered a U.S. job, she sharpened her English through American television. Saija has always blended Finnish and English playfully in her teaching. After three years in the U.S., she discovered a teaching opportunity at Saima Park in 2018 and never looked back. She now teaches Finnish online and in person, and also loves preparing traditional Finnish dishes, including Finnish appetizers.
Holly Luopa LeClair
Holly is a third-generation Finn and member of the FinnFunn New England standing committee. She has worked at The Inn at East Hill Farm for 35 years, linking the Inn and FFW for the past 16 years. An adventurous outdoorswoman, she has gone white-water rafting, skydiving, hand gliding, and mountain climbing, and once served as a surrogate for friends. Holly and her husband are now in year three as empty nesters - their three dogs happily soaking up the extra attention.
Anne Little
Leila Luopa
Leila directs the Revontulet Finnish Folk Dance group, where she and her husband Mark also teach. A proud, one-hundred-percent American Finn, she recalls childhood Saturdays hauling water to fill the sauna buckets, followed by evenings of snow angels, sibling games, and star-gazing from the hammock. Extended family gathered for pulla and kahvi amid music. Leila has taught K-8 music and piano, and currently serves as organist and choir director for Christ Lutheran Church in Troy, NH.
Katrina Mackey
Katina Mackey’s world is steeped in Finnish culture. Her parents were founding members of the Finger Lakes Finns chapter of Finlandia Foundation National and active members of the Finnish American community in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She grew up attending performances by Finnish folk music performers and listening to Finnish folk music records. Katrina danced with the Finger Lakes Finns folk dance group until high school graduation. She picked up the fiddle for the first time in 2006, intending to learn Finnish folk tunes following in the footsteps of her maternal grandfather who played in a dance band in Finland. She feels extremely fortunate to have attended the first annual Finnish Folk Music Camp in Hancock, Michigan, in 2011, again in 2012, and later to have apprenticed with button-accordion master Richard Koski through New York State Heritage Preservation Grants. Mackey looks forward not only to entertain with Metku, but also to teach attendees the Finnish card game Ristiseiska.
Madison McClintock
Madison McClintock is a Maine-based filmmaker and textile artist with over a decade of experience in community-centered, ethical storytelling. Her work explores stories of interdependence, often emphasized in the intimate relationship between people and place. Most recently, Madison worked in the field for National Geographic’s Pristine Seas and currently serves as the staff storyteller at the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine. A former Fulbright Scholar to Finland and a current Docs-in-Progress Impact Production Fellow, Madison just completed her first feature documentary, Craftswoman: Weaving Life Whole.
Janice McGinn
Metku Trio
Metku returns for a second gig at FinnFunn. Michael Ludgate (mandolin, kantele, fiddle) and Katrina Mackey (fiddle, flute) formed Metku, drawing on their Finnish ancestry to explore traditional music and dance. The duo is often joined by Philip Robinson (guitar) as a trio, and occasionally Richard Koski for a quartet. Beyond traditional Finnish repertoire, Metku plays for contra dances, square dances, and weddings, and recently published a tune book, Finnish Dance Music of the Finger Lakes. This weekend’s set includes waltzes, polkas, schottisches, mazurkas, hambos, and tangos. Find them at metku.org, metkumusic.org, and on Facebook
New England Finnish Lapphund Club
Bernard Novak
Bernie Nowak, accordionist for many years at both the Inn and tori, has been involved in music and dancing at Sovittaja Park in Rutland, MA, for over 25 years. In 2004, he formed the Central Mass. Accordion Club, which has performed at FinnFunn Weekends in Worcester and Leominster, MA, Windsor, CT, and Troy, NH. Alongside his wife Nancy, he has taught ballroom and Scandinavian dancing at Sovittaja Park and other venues. His love of Scandinavian music and dance continues to drive his work, sharing the tradition with others.
Robert Ranta
For several years, Rob co-chaired FinnFunn New England with Stan Karro; this year he chairs the planning committee. He also directs the Cape Ann Finns. His Finnish forebears emigrated between 1897–1910 to work the granite quarries in Rockport and Lanesville, MA. He lives in an 1820 building with a remarkable past as schoolhouse, temperance hall, dry goods store, Ranta’s Market, and repair shop, moved by oxen from “Lanesville way” in 1870. Dr. Ranta spent 37 years in New Jersey public education and worked as an author and advisor for Macmillan Publishing, plus adjunct humanities instructor. Family, reading, genealogy, travel, theater, music, CAF, and FFW keep him busy.
Revontulet Finnish Folk Dancers
Revontulet (the Northern Lights) is a Finnish folk-dance group with 50+ years of performing locally, regionally, nationally and abroad with the expressed goal of preserving and promoting for Finnish Americans the 18th and 19th century dance traditions in Finland. Their repertoire plus the music and national costumes originated in the daily lives of the peasantry and gentry.
Carolyn Sanford
Carolyn has long embraced her Finnish heritage — her grandfather hailed from Saarijärvi, her Mummu from Kurikka, and her mother grew up in Worcester, MA’s Finnish-American community. Carolyn began attending FinnFunn with her mother in 2006 and has loved playing traditional Finnish music on fiddle ever since. Once again, she’s honored to perform alongside Bernie Nowak. She’s also recently joined the Revontulet dancers and looks forward to celebrating Finnish heritage through both music and dance.
Martha Silander
Martha is a second/third generation Finnish American. Her father's parents settled in Troy, NH, in 1917. She has served on the FinnFunn Weekend standing committee for many years, co-chaired earlier Weekends, and has managed the tori/Finnish Marketplace ably for some time now. Says Silander, “I hope you enjoy the scenic Troy area, and look forward to meeting you at the tori.”
Bowen Slingluff
Anita Häkkilä Smiley
Anita’s lifelong dedication to Finnish culture spans local, national, and international leadership. Born in Canterbury, CT, with Finnish as her home language, she wove that heritage into a passion in life endeavors and continues it in retirement. She has served as president of the Canterbury Finnish American Heritage Society and as national president of Finlandia Foundation National. With husband Jack, Anita founded FinnFunn Weekend in 1993, creating a Northeast network for Finnish-American organizations. She has organized and led 30 Finland group tours since 1986 and was honored in 2016 by Finland’s president with the Order of the White Rose.
Jay Smith
Finlandia Foundation’s Lecturer of the Year, Jay Smith is a trained public historian, researcher, and archivist dedicated to making history accessible, engaging, and relevant. With a passion for bridging the gap between academic scholarship and community storytelling, he serves as a thoughtful mediator between professional research and public curiosity. As America approaches i a light on figures like John Morton—a founder of Finnish descent whose decisive vote for independence helped shape a nation—reminding us that courage and conscience often begin at home.
VictorIa Stewart
Victoria Victoria is an Honorary Fellow at the Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Until July 2023, she was Associate Professor of Finnish & Nordic Studies at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, and she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Finlandia Foundation National. She lives in the old parsonage of Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) in South Range, Michigan, where she regularly fires up her wood-burning sauna.
Stephen Trimble
Stephen Trimble Stephen, a FFW standing committee member, is a third-generation Cape Codder whose grandparents, Nestori ja Amelia Raikkonen, emigrated around 1900, married in 1913, and settled in Hyannis, MA — anglicizing their name to Hill and founding Hill’s Dining Room and Inn. Stephen has long served as president of the Finnish-American Society of Cape Cod, which meets monthly at First Baptist Church in Hyannis. He recently invited Finnish president Alexander Stubb to a Society meeting. An ordained American Baptist pastor and Cape Cod realtor, Stephen also collects books and enjoys classical music.
Avani Visone
Avani Joy Visone Avani Joy Visone is a Connecticut-based digital creator and former owner of Radiant Roots Studio, where she worked as a dreadlock artist for several years. In late 2025, she began transitioning away from the studio to pursue education in the dental field, officially starting her new full-time role in January 2026.