Lifetime VIP Member, Wilho F. Saari to be Honored as Professional of the Year 2017 by America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals

Farmingdale, NY, November 12, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Wilho F. Saari comes from a family of accomplished performers, specifically the kantele, the Finnish psaltery. He earned his B.A. in Sacred Music and his B.A. in Music Education at Northwest College. He was a grade school teacher for 34 years including 3 years in Liberia, Africa in a missions school and 23 years at Naselle Youth Camp School. Mr. Saari is a fifth generation player of the kantele. His great grandmother Kreeta Haapasalo was a well known kantele player in Finland in the 19th century. His father, Wilho Sr. was also a performer who brought the kantele to America in 1915. Mr. Saari has performed in Astoria, Oregon and Naselle, Washington. He participated in the world premiere of a Kantelle Mass composed by Jarkko Yli-Annala where he performed at FinnFest USA ’06, an annual national festival. His numerous awards include the Governor’s Heritage Award for his work popularizing and teaching the kantele; he is one of ten recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) award of an NEA National Heritage Fellowship, the country’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Mr. Saari is affiliated with the Finnish American Festival and the Finnish American Historical Society. He has recorded two CDs on the kantele. His latest CD called, “Vilhon Vintiltä” is mainly made-up of his own compositions.

The Professional of the Year membership in America’s Registry is awarded to those candidates who have achieved recognition in their respective industry or profession for their accomplishments and who have established a commendable reputation. This membership honors individuals who have reached the highest standards of accomplishment in their chosen field. America’s Registry is proud to honor Wilho F. Saari for his illustrious career in the Performing Arts.