Katariin Raska

Katariin Raska is a Lecturer in Traditional and Folk Music at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). She is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Estonian bagpipes (torupill), jaw harp (parmupill), and double bass, blending traditional folk music with free improvisation and experimental approaches. Her work explores historical performance practices, instrument adaptation, and cross-cultural collaborations, particularly with Norwegian and Estonian musical traditions.

Her recent projects include a double album (2023) interpreting the century-old recordings of Jaan Rand, a Western Estonian wedding musician. This work involved collaborative arrangements with Leanne Barbo (kannel) and Natali Ponetajev (diatonic accordion), emphasizing danceable polkas and labajalgs while bridging archival materials with contemporary performance.

Katariin released her solo album PARMU PILL (2018), focusing on jaw harp traditions and original compositions. Earlier, she co-founded the Estonian-Norwegian quartet ÄIO (2014), which reimagined Baltic and Scandinavian folk repertoires through ensemble improvisation and sound design.

Katariin also co-founded the Estonian Jaw Harp Association (Parmupilli Selts) in 2019 to promote research and performance of the jaw harp. She has performed extensively across Europe, including at Rudolstadt Festival (Germany), Umefolk (Sweden), and Mouth Music Festival (Ireland).