A successful, crooning, pop diva from Finland, Arja Koriseva's reputation as a national sweetheart and powerful, versatile performer has grown since she first emerged in the late 1980s from a talent show for tango singers. Born in the small town of Toivakka in the central region of the country, Koriseva grew up singing with her family in the local church choir and was involved in theatre groups and art events. She was set for a career as a teacher until she entered the annual music competition Seinajoki Tangomarkkinat in 1989, which she ended up winning and being crowned Tango Queen.
Her sentimental versions of show tunes, spiritual songs, tangos and ballads led to her becoming one of her nation's most popular singing stars with tours across Canada, Britain and Australia. Her albums 'Just the Two of Us' and 'When the Evening Arrives in the City' helped introduce a new generation to Finnish tango music and her national celebrity was cemented with appearances on popular television shows.
She went on to collaborate with Tapani Kansa on the album 'The Night Is Tender' and lent her voice to the animated TV series 'Pocahontas', before starring on stage as Eliza in 'My Fair Lady' and Maria in 'The Sound of Music', and performing with concert pianist Jouni Somero on 2012 albums 'Kirkossa' and 'Joulokirkossa'.
