Valerie Klemetti Blessley
Harp, Kantele and Woodwinds
Nominated for Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year, 2025
Contact: (360) 600-8477
A second generation Finnish-American, Valerie Klemetti Blessley has been at the harp for over 30 years. During that time, she has performed with the New Mexico Harp Circle, Clark College Orchestra, and the Portland Christmas Revels as part of their Celtic and Medieval/Renaissance bands. Valerie has most regularly performed with Jennifer Pratt-Walter in the Pacific Northwest, as the popular harp duo, Celtic Muse / Revontuli. She also performs with the Finnish-American kantele ensemble, Livakat Evergreen Kanteles, and has performed in the Finnish-American trio, Soitorassia (Music Box) at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle, WA.
Celtic Muse were featured performers at the International Folk Harpers and Craftsmen’s HarpCon 2005 in Big Sky, Montana. There, Valerie introduced the folk harp world to the magic of Finland’s kantele and its music in concert and in workshops. She has been a featured teacher at the La Pine, OR harp retreat, and has taught Finnish folk music and dancing workshops at the Ft. Worden Folk Harp Festival in Port Townsend, WA. Other workshop credits include the Finnish -American Folk Festival, and the Appelo Archives in Naselle, WA. Valerie has been teaching private harp lessons for over two decades, and also teaches kantele, both small (5-15 strings) and concert models (36-39 strings).
Valerie studied harp in Albuquerque, NM and with Marion Fouse, former principal harpist with the Oregon Symphony, in Portland, OR. In addition, she has attended numerous workshops and festivals, studying with noted harpists Kim Robertson, Tina Tourin, Laurie Riley and Harper Tasche. Additionally, Valerie has studied kantele with the late kantele masters Wiljo Saari and Cathy Cushing of Washington, Dr. Arja Kastinen, a respected Finnish kantele professor and performer, Dr. Vilma Timonen, Anu Alviola, and Senni Eskilinen. Most recently, Valerie has been studying kantele with Jenni Venäläinen, a specialist in Karelian music and kantele playing in Finland. 
When visiting family members, Valerie purchased her first 10 string kantele in Joensuu, Finland in 1992. She began seriously playing the large kantele in 2001 in Portland, OR, when she was invited to join the Portland kantele ensemble, Livakat. Making the transition between the instruments has been exciting as she has learned new techniques of string playing. Her kantele playing style is a hybrid of classical harp and folk kantele techniques. Perhojoki (short side) folk style playing was a natural for her as she moved from harp to kantele.
Valerie brings the spirit of the pelimanni to her playing. Though she is classically trained on the harp, she prefers to play a professional level folk harp that is perfectly suited to the music she loves so much. The music of the people throughout the generations touches her heart and begs to be played. Through her love of the harp, the kantele, and woodwinds, she is able to bring both her Finnish and Irish heritage to her music.
During childhood, Valerie learned to play the recorder and flute, thus beginning her musical career. She played flute and piccolo in bands and orchestras during her entire school career. Her continuing with the instrument has been a testament to the value of school music programs. She continues to be a life-long learner in musical pursuits.
When not playing harps, Valerie works with her husband, Dr. Mark Blessley, in their woodworking shop making harps and Finnish kanteles as Blessley Instruments. She has taught harp lessons for two decades in Vancouver, WA. Valerie also taught pottery, photography and English at the high school level in Vancouver and New Mexico. She was a public high school teacher for 31 years.
Valerie has published three books of harp music, and has made several CDs. Three are Celtic Muse recordings, Wind and Wood: A Sylvan Dance and Merry and Bright: Harp for the Holidays, and Crossroads (Celtic and Nordic music.) A fourth (solo) CD, Northern Light: Celtic and Scandinavian music on harp and Finnish kantele was released in October of 2004. Valerie can also be heard as a featured soloist on Toinen Vuosisata: Second Century, the CD celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Messiah Finnish Lutheran Church in Portland, OR. She is currently arranging Finnish and other folk music for the harp and the kantele ensemble Livakat Evergreen Kanteles, which is based in Seattle, WA.
You may contact Valerie at: Valerie.Blessley@gmail.com or (360) 600-8477. She is available for performances and workshops, first in her duo, Celtic Muse / Revontuli, or as a solo performer and/or harp and kantele teacher.
