Timo-Veikko Valve

About Timo

Timo-Veikko Valve, affec'onately known by audiences far and wide as “Tipi”, grew up in Finland,
surrounded by a family who are “musically orientated normal people”. Music lessons were a natural
part of his upbringing, and at six years old, Tipi was encouraged to pick up the cello aAer a teacher at
the local music school declared with considerable convic'on that “he looks just like a cellist!”. To this
day, Tipi remains somewhat puzzled about what that statement actually meant. Whatever the
subtext, the teacher seems to have been correct.

Valve was appointed Principal Cello of the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2006, and his leadership
soon became an integral part of the ACO. Recognised for his natural, crea've, and generous
musicianship, Tipi seeks to define the modern-day musician. Prior to his Australian adventure, Tipi
studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki before con'nuing to the Edsberg Music Ins'tute in
Stockholm.

Tipi effortlessly transi'ons between modern and period instruments and describes the cello as a
flexible and adap've partner, both in its role in an ensemble and as a soloist, across all forms of
music. He reflects this versa'lity and enjoys a diverse career as a musician, curator and director,
direc'ng from the cello and appearing as a soloist with many of the major orchestras across his two
home countries, Finland, and Australia. Tipi is also a sought-aAer collaborator and frequently appears
as a chamber musician. His ac've commitment to the music of our 'mes through cura'ng and
commissioning has seen him deliver world-premiere performances of mul'ple concertos and other
significant works wriWen especially for him.

Currently, Tipi plays on a Brothers Ama' cello from 1616, kindly on loan from the ACO Instrument
Fund.