Watch Heli’s video (in Finnish) from our Instagram page.
Heli Kajo is the director, composer and singer of the Pikku Papun Orkesteri. The band was founded at Sibelius Academy’s music education programme during a children’s music course led by music creators Soili Perkiö and Eeva-Leena Pokela. They introduced the students to author and illustrator Liisa Kallio, the creator of the character Pikku Papu (Little Bean).
Pikku Papun Orkesteri enjoys a bit of a cult following with children and their families. Their three first recordings were sold together with the Pikku Papu books, and the first two albums can only be heard either live or on CD. Their third album Pikku Papun aakkoslorut (Little Bean’s alphabet rhymes) is available also on streaming services and part the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE’s children’s programme Pikku Kakkonen. The band has performed across Finland during its 13 years of existence, and for its collaboration with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra they received the Children’s Music Achievement of the Year award in 2024.
Heli received our grant in Fall 2025 for composing, arranging and producing the band’s fourth album.
You have published three albums as part of Liisa Kallio’s Pikku Papu books. Please, tell us about working on your fourth recording.
“This is the first Pikku Papun Orkesteri’s recording that is independent from the books. We have gotten ten new poems from Liisa Kallio and are composing songs based on them. The poems are absolutely lovely, Liisa is an incredible author and illustrator. We are also making new versions of our older hits, which is really exciting.
Some fantastic musicians are involved in this project and it is important to us that we play all instruments ourselves, both live and on the album. We create the arrangements together. I strongly believe that what each person can bring to that moment is truly valuable. There is magic in playing and creating together, something we want to share and pass on to the new generations. Everybody deserves to experience music performed live because nothing can replace that connection between people. That is our philosophy behind our work.
Pedagogical elements are always included in the composing. Our music is widely used in early childhood education and is listened a lot in families with small children. We also want that children can see real instruments on stage, which unfortunately is becoming uncommon nowadays. Think about the value of learning an instrument, the determination it requires and how it supports cognitive development. These are skills that are going to be increasingly important in the future in this rapidly changing world.”
Where do you find inspiration?
“I love pedagogy. I feel that I am really lucky to be able to be part of the world of children. The language Liisa uses and the richness of the Finnish language in general are major sources of inspiration in my composing. We want the music to be fun for the children, but at the same time we want the rhythm of the words to be just right so that children also learn language use.
Making music for children gives us a clear function but also provides restrictions in a good way. We want our compositions and arrangements to work for our target audience. Your own composing and artistry are not the main point but creating high-quality music meaningful to our listeners. It is important to reflect on how to engage them during live performances.
AI-generated music has landed also in children’s music. That is not something that we want to be part of. In a way, it gives me more freedom to do even more in my own way. I do not want to aim for that type of music but want to concentrate on doing what I find interesting and meaningful. Make music in which humanity is visible and audible. Something that truly resonates.”
You received a grant in the autumn of 2025. What did the grant mean to you and your orchestra at that moment?
“Recently, I have been moved by the support we have received for our work. That children’s culture was given an opportunity like this and that we are able to work on a high level to help the next generation into the world of music.
Times have been tough in the industry and gigs have been hard to get. When we received the grant, there were changes in the band and we had just finished a major TV collaboration. At such a turning point, receiving the grant was very important. It would not be possible to do this project like this without the grant.”
A warm thanks to Heli for a lovely interview!
Read more: pikkupapunorkesteri.fi (In Finnish)
Follow on Instagram: pikkupapunorkesteri
In addition to Heli, the current members of the Pikku Papun Orkesteri are:
Juho Puronaho, guitar, octave mandola, violin, backing vocals
Anssi Salminen, guitar, mandola, violin, backing vocals
Mathias Hermansson, vocals, guitar, xylophone
Tarmo Anttila, double bass, backing vocals
Markus Vainiomäki, drums, vocals
Katri Liira, vocals, xylophone
Grants for music creators can be applied twice a year 1.-21.3. and 1.-21.9. Read more about applying and see all who have been awarded grants.