DUO OBSOLUTE is an ensemble of two musicians – oboist Riivo Kallasmaa and soprano Jaanika Kuusik. Having played together in various formations for many years, they first performed under the name Duo ObSolute in 2018. The core of their concerts consists of arrangements of Gregorian chant and early music in an extraordinary combination – the soprano voice and the oboe, often described as the instrument most similar to the human voice. Duo ObSolute has performed across Estonia and also in St. Petersburg. In 2023, they released their first recording titled “O vis aeternitatis”, with accompanying concerts held in churches in Tallinn, Tartu, Kärdla, and Vigala.

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​Conductor and singer JAANIKA KUUSIK graduated from the Tallinn Music High School with a specialization in choral conducting (under A. Mäeots), obtained her bachelor's degree in music education (under Prof. A. Saluveer) from EAMT, and completed her master's studies in choral conducting under Prof. T. Kaljuste. As a singer, Kuusik continues her vocal training with mezzo-soprano T. Ella (Estonian National Opera). She has also taken lessons from early music specialist, soprano Emma Kirkby (UK). Kuusik was the conductor of children's choirs at the XII Youth Song Festival “Mina jään” (2017), the XXVII National Song Celebration “Minu arm” (2019), and the XIII Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Püha on maa” (2023). In 2025, she will serve as the section leader for children's choirs at the XXVIII National Song Celebration “Iseoma”. Since 2010, she has sung with the ensemble Vox Clamantis, performing and recording extensively at festivals around the world. Kuusik has also participated as a singer in several projects with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Since 2018, she has performed in the ensemble Duo ObSolute. Together with oboist R. Kallasmaa, they have given concerts in Estonia and Finland. As a soloist, Kuusik has performed in major works such as Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum and Passio, Bach’s St John Passion, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Vivaldi’s Gloria, H. Purcell’s Ode to St. Cecilia, Mozart’s Sub tuum praesidium, Missa in G major, among others. Contemporary music plays an important role in her vocal repertoire, and she collaborates with many Estonian composers. She has also worked with composer K. Saariaho (FI), A. Nilsson (SE), soprano A. Savall (ES), and conductors D. Reuss, A. Mustonen, R. Joost, and T. Siitan. As a soloist, she has performed with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Israel Camerata, Barrocade Ensemble (IL), Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra, Corelli Baroque Orchestra, Tallinn Sinfonietta, and the Tallinn Music High School Symphony Orchestra. In November 2019, she began her collaboration with the early music ensemble Hortus Musicus, which continues to this day. Since autumn 2023, Jaanika Kuusik has been a singer with the Swedish Radio Choir. She is also the conductor of the men’s section of the Stockholm Estonian Mixed Choir and the Stockholm Estonian Children’s Choir, as well as assistant conductor and vocal coach of the mixed choir.

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RIIVO KALLASMAA, oboist, graduated from the Tallinn Music High School where he studied under Tulike Loorits. He pursued higher musical education at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Kallasmaa has played in Estonia’s three major symphony orchestras (Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Opera Orchestra, and Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra), as well as in Finland (Turku Philharmonic and Pori Sinfonietta). He frequently performs with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and has been involved with the Estonian Festival Orchestra since its founding. He has also collaborated with Estonia’s first ensemble specializing in contemporary music, NYYD Ensemble. Kallasmaa is also an esteemed choral singer. He has been a member of Ensemble Voces Musicales and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. For many years, he has been closely involved with Vox Clamantis, a vocal ensemble specializing in Gregorian chant and its combination with contemporary music.

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ANNA-LIISA ELLER began her music and kantele studies at the Tallinn Music School (under Malle Vihul). In 2008, she graduated from the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School, and in 2011 earned her bachelor's degree and in 2014 her master's degree cum laude from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under Associate Professor Kristi Mühling. In 2013, Eller furthered her studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon with Professors Yves Rechsteiner, Jean-Marc Aymes, Rolf Lislevand, Angelique Mauillon, and Pierre Hamon, and from 2013 to 2014 at the Trossingen University of Music with Rolf Lislevand. She has achieved outstanding results in various competitions both in Estonia and abroad, including 1st place in Vilnius (2008) and 1st place with a special award from Koistinen Kantele at the Helsinki International Kantele Competition (2011). Since 2010, Eller has taught kantele at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School. Her special interests include early and contemporary music. She has performed at numerous music festivals in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Norway, and France, actively collaborating with both Estonian and international ensembles such as Supersonus (whose debut album was released in 2016 in collaboration with ECM), Kapsberger, Oni Wytars, Vox Clamantis, Rondellus, and others. In addition to the kantele, Eller also performs on frame drums, recorders, bagpipes, and the psaltery.