This
biography of a living person includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (January 2011) |
Janika Sillamaa | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Tallinn, Estonia | 23 June 1975
Genres | Theatre, pop, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1993–present |
Janika Sillamaa (born 23 June 1975 [1]) is an Estonian singer and actress.
Born into a musical family, Sillamaa was herself onstage from a very young age: in the musical theatre Colombina, founded by her mother Kaari Sillamaa, she played lead roles in many children's musicals, including " Thumbelina" and a revue programme "Mini-Cabaret".
In 1993 Sillamaa performed at the Roskilde Festival. She was then a student in the pop-jazz department of the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn, where her vocal-coaches were Jaak Joala [1] and Kare Kauks. In 1992 Sillamaa was internally chosen to represent Estonia at Eurovision 1993 - Estonia's first Eurovision participation - with Sillamaa performing eight potential entrant songs in a national preliminary round televised live as Eurolaul 1993 on 20 February 1993. The song selected for Sillamaa to perform as the Estonian Eurovision entrant was " Muretut meelt ja südametuld". With representatives of six other former Eastern bloc nations and nations of former Yugoslavia, Sillamaa performed "Muretut meelt ja südametuld" at the Kvalifikacija za Millstreet semi-final round broadcast live on 3 April 1993 in Ljubljana, when four of the seven competing entrants were eliminated, including "Muretut meelt ja südametuld" which finished the round at #5.
In 1992 Sillamaa played her first adult role in a stage musical: Mary Magdalene Jesus Christ Superstar at the Linnahall. Having recorded a few singles as vocalist for rock group the Names from 1995, Sillamaa again participated in Eurolaul in 1998 bidding to represent Estonia at Eurovision with "Viimne valge kuu" a song composed by Sillamaa's mother Kaari which finished Eurolaul 1998 in fourth place. In 2000 Sillamaa commenced studies at the Higher Drama School of Estonia intending to complete a four-year programme in stage directing. Only a matter of months before her graduation, however, a red card was shown for delicate reasons, possibly. Neither of the sides, nor the commission or the drop-out herself have yet agreed to reveal on the matter. Despite the controversy over the diploma she was never awarded, Sillamaa has since directed stage plays on a regular basis.
The 2000s (decade) also mark another turn to Janika Sillamaa's career. Several lead roles of blockbuster musicals have come on her credit, such as Elton John's " Aida" (title role), Ulvaeus- Andersson's " Chess" (Svetlana), Schönberg-Boublil's " Miss Saigon" (Ellen) and Webber's " Cats" to name a few. In 2009, she formed a rock band, Famagusta, with friends and recorded a single, Rong, which she described as an anthem for women in their 30s. [1]
Janika Sillamaa has settled in Tallinn with her partner, Villu Feldbergiga, and their daughter, Alma (b. 2015).
This
biography of a living person includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (January 2011) |
Janika Sillamaa | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Tallinn, Estonia | 23 June 1975
Genres | Theatre, pop, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1993–present |
Janika Sillamaa (born 23 June 1975 [1]) is an Estonian singer and actress.
Born into a musical family, Sillamaa was herself onstage from a very young age: in the musical theatre Colombina, founded by her mother Kaari Sillamaa, she played lead roles in many children's musicals, including " Thumbelina" and a revue programme "Mini-Cabaret".
In 1993 Sillamaa performed at the Roskilde Festival. She was then a student in the pop-jazz department of the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn, where her vocal-coaches were Jaak Joala [1] and Kare Kauks. In 1992 Sillamaa was internally chosen to represent Estonia at Eurovision 1993 - Estonia's first Eurovision participation - with Sillamaa performing eight potential entrant songs in a national preliminary round televised live as Eurolaul 1993 on 20 February 1993. The song selected for Sillamaa to perform as the Estonian Eurovision entrant was " Muretut meelt ja südametuld". With representatives of six other former Eastern bloc nations and nations of former Yugoslavia, Sillamaa performed "Muretut meelt ja südametuld" at the Kvalifikacija za Millstreet semi-final round broadcast live on 3 April 1993 in Ljubljana, when four of the seven competing entrants were eliminated, including "Muretut meelt ja südametuld" which finished the round at #5.
In 1992 Sillamaa played her first adult role in a stage musical: Mary Magdalene Jesus Christ Superstar at the Linnahall. Having recorded a few singles as vocalist for rock group the Names from 1995, Sillamaa again participated in Eurolaul in 1998 bidding to represent Estonia at Eurovision with "Viimne valge kuu" a song composed by Sillamaa's mother Kaari which finished Eurolaul 1998 in fourth place. In 2000 Sillamaa commenced studies at the Higher Drama School of Estonia intending to complete a four-year programme in stage directing. Only a matter of months before her graduation, however, a red card was shown for delicate reasons, possibly. Neither of the sides, nor the commission or the drop-out herself have yet agreed to reveal on the matter. Despite the controversy over the diploma she was never awarded, Sillamaa has since directed stage plays on a regular basis.
The 2000s (decade) also mark another turn to Janika Sillamaa's career. Several lead roles of blockbuster musicals have come on her credit, such as Elton John's " Aida" (title role), Ulvaeus- Andersson's " Chess" (Svetlana), Schönberg-Boublil's " Miss Saigon" (Ellen) and Webber's " Cats" to name a few. In 2009, she formed a rock band, Famagusta, with friends and recorded a single, Rong, which she described as an anthem for women in their 30s. [1]
Janika Sillamaa has settled in Tallinn with her partner, Villu Feldbergiga, and their daughter, Alma (b. 2015).