Riikka Pietiläinen Ca

Professor at the Department of Music at McAnulty College of Arts and Sciences, Riikka Pietiläinen Caffrey is a distinguished Finnish-born musician and educator. She currently serves as the Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of Choral and Vocal Performance at Boston College. Her extensive experience in the field of music is marked by her dynamic career as a performer and educator, which has taken her across various continents and musical genres. Dr. Caffrey's musical journey is both diverse and impressive. She has performed and toured with the renowned Finnish choir Philomela, showcasing her vocal talents on international stages. Her passion for choral music led her to establish Las Sirenas choir, a testament to her commitment to nurturing vocal talent and promoting choral music. Her academic pursuits are equally noteworthy, having earned advanced degrees in jazz performance, choral conducting, and musical arts from the University of Colorado. Before her tenure at Boston College, Dr. Caffrey enriched the academic and musical communities at several institutions. She has held teaching positions at American University in Beirut, Whitman College, and Bunker Hill Community College, where she contributed significantly to the development of their music programs. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of performance and education, aiming to inspire and cultivate the next generation of musicians. Dr. Caffrey's contributions to the field of music extend beyond the classroom. Her work as a conductor and performer continues to influence and shape the choral landscape, both locally and internationally. Her dedication to her craft and her students is evident in her ongoing efforts to promote excellence in choral and vocal performance.