Eija Kankaanranta is a Finnish kantele musician specializing in contemporary music and improvisation. She has premiered works by Jukka Tiensuu, Lotta Wennäkoski, Juhani Nuorvala, Juha T. Koskinen and Kaija Saariaho, and most recently, concertos by Mikko Heiniö and Timo Alakotila. Her solo CD ”Griffyr – contemporary music for kantele” was released in 2007. In 2009 Eija became the first classical kantele player to complete a performer’s doctorate in the Sibelius Academy. She has appeared as a soloist with Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Pori Sinfonietta, Joensuu City Orchestra and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. She has also played in ensembles like the Tapiola Sinfonietta, Finnish Baroque Orchestra, Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble and the Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen. Her own ensembles include a duo with flutist Camilla Hoitenga (USA), Superpluck trio with kantele, harpsichord and guitar and Juurakko (blues / contemporary folk). In 2021 Eija was appointed to be Lecturer in Kantele at the University of the Arts Helsinki. In 2024 she received a one-year state grant from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.