Tero Saarinen Company

The primary aim of Tero Saarinen Company, founded by dancer-choreographer Tero Saarinen in 1996, is to create, perform and teach powerful and engaging contemporary dance at the highest levels of artistic excellence in Helsinki, Finland and internationally, based on Tero Saarinen’s artistic vision.

The Company has captivated audiences and critics in 40 countries on six continents, including at prestigious venues such as BAM and The Joyce Theater in New York, Chaillot and Châtelet in Paris, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. Its core activities also include running an international teaching programme, presenting international dance companies in Helsinki and community outreach projects. In addition, Saarinen and his team collaborate with other prominent dance groups; Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT1), the Batsheva Dance Company, Lyon Opéra Ballet and the Finnish National Ballet, to name but a few, have featured Saarinen’s works in their repertoires.

Tero Saarinen Company has won international acclaim and loyal audiences for Saarinen’s unique movement and choreographic vision, for strong individual performers, exquisite visual design and, often, live music performed by renowned musical collaborators.

The Company is in permanent residence at Helsinki’s Alexander Theatre – the former home of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, where Saarinen started his career in the 1980’s. Tero Saarinen Company also performs regularly at the Finnish National Theatre and Finnish National Opera. Tero Saarinen Company provides work for about 80 individuals each year, ten of whom work on monthly salaries. The Company’s operations are supported by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture and The City of Helsinki.

Artistic Director Tero Saarinen Managing Director Iiris Autio Technical Director Ville Konttinen Head of Artistic Development Sini Länsivuori (on leave of absence) Rehearsing Director Henrikki Heikkilä Head of Marketing & Communications Terhi Mikkonen Head of International Sales Johanna Rajamäki Company Manager Maiju Ristilä (on maternity leave) Production and Development Manager Carita Weissenfelt Company Assistant Sara Hirn Training Activities Coordinator David Scarantino