Matti Makkonen graduated as a teacher of cello, solfège and theory of music from Kuopio Conservatory. He has also studied musicology at the University of Jyväskylä and attended advanced courses in choir and orchestra conducting with Rita Varonen and Jorma Panula at the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences.
Matti Makkonen on työskennellyt as CEO of Nova Records Oy, as executive director of Savonlinna Music Academy, Etelä-Savo regional artist, teacher at Kuopio and Keski-Suomen konservatorio’s and Savonlinnan Music Academy and art highschool and as composer, arranger, conductor and producer. He has conducted youth choir at Kuopio konservatoire, chamber choir Harmonia at kuopio and Savonlinna taidelukio choir.
Matti Makkonen has performed as a cellist and conductor not only in Finland but also throughout Europe and Japan. Makkonen has composed for example. vocal, chamber and stage music and is the artistic director of the Pielinen Soi Festival celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017. www.mattimakkonen.com