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Tiit Kikas, born in Tallinn, Estonia, is a remarkable composer and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his mastery across a diverse range of musical instruments. From an early age, his exceptional musical talent was evident as he began violin studies at four and soon after took up piano. He attended Tallinn Music High School, where his main instrument was the classical violin. His prowess expanded during the early 1990s to include a passion for traditional Irish violin music, evolving further into a comprehensive engagement with electronic and culturally diverse world music.
Kikas's signature instrument, the electric violin, has been central to his artistic expression since he adopted it in 1994. His masterful playing and innovative techniques have redefined the possibilities of this instrument, enabling him to blend traditional violin sounds with modern electronic music elements seamlessly.
His academic journey bolstered his skills, with pivotal stints at the Sibelius Academy in Finland from 1995 to 1996 focusing on folk music and studio production, and later at the University of Tartu's Viljandi Culture Academy, where he defended a thesis in jazz music in 2011 and taught digital music recording, post-production, and sound design.
Kikas has used unique instruments in his performances, notably the laser harp since 2004, which he designed for the "Great Machines" and "Great War Machines" concert trilogy at the Leigo Lake Music Festival. His creativity extends over a hundred music albums and more than thirty films, including feature films, animations, documentaries, and TV shows. Notably, his production of Kirile Loo's album "Lullabies for Husbands" achieved top 20 status in the European World Music Chart.
Among his significant works is the world premiere of the short opera "The Nightingale and the Student" in 2021, based on Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose." This event marked the fifth anniversary of the "Opera Symbiosis" festival in Tartu, celebrating its status as a university city.
Kikas has released three solo albums, with "String Theory" (2007) also distributed in Finland and Japan. His second album, "101 Clowns" (2012), marked Estonia's first digital-only release and was well-received internationally. His latest, "Susanna's Diaries" (2024), is his first vinyl release, continuing his tradition of innovative and resonant musical exploration. His extensive experience with different musical styles-including folk, pop, rock, jazz, and crossover-coupled with his mastery of various instruments, firmly establishes him as a versatile and visionary figure in the contemporary music scene.
His contributions to the arts have earned him nominations for the prestigious Suur Vanker award, recognizing his talent as both a top arranger and instrumentalist. Tiit Kikas remains committed to pushing musical boundaries, making significant impacts in theatre, music, and film.
