Maija Linkola started playing the violin at the age of 4 at the West-Helsinki Music Institute in Helsinki under Riitta Poutanen. From there she went on to the Sibelius Academy to study with Igor Bezrodny. She has sought further inspiration for her violin playing career from Zinaida Gilels in the USA and Ilan Gronich in Berlin.

As a child, Maija was encouraged to pursue a career as a musician by her father, jazz pianist Jukka Linkola. Maija was introduced to different musical genres at a young age and has also performed extensively as a soloist in orchestras such as the Helsinki City Orchestra, the Tapiola Sinfonietta and the Finnish National Opera Orchestra.

Maija Linkola works full-time as principal violinist at the Finnish National Opera. During the 19-21 seasons she has been both a temporary rotating concertmaster with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and second violin in the Finnish National Opera Orchestra. Maija has also appeared on the operatic stage as violin soloist in the Finnish National Opera’s Cirkopera and in A Christmas Carol ballet.

In addition to orchestral work, Maija is passionate about all forms of music making. She performs extensively in various ensembles and musical theatre productions.

The strings she has assembled are featured on numerous recordings and on the soundtracks of internationally successful films and games.