Finnish or Armenian? Maria explains....

Looks like adding Maria Kizirian to the Armenian final has caused some protests and concern so let's see what she has to say on her MySpace:

Press surrounding my entrance to the Armenia National Finals sometimes forgets to mention my connection to Armenia. They love to say "Finn sings for Armenia" or something like that. So I wanted to say a few words about these things. And if you have any questions on your mind, please post them as comments to my MySpace or Facebook page and I'll respond.

My connection to Armenia and its people is rich. I married an Armenian, love the culture and consider the culture my own. I am honored to be part of the tapestry to represent such a wonderful country / history. I have talents that I hope will take Armenia further in the Eurovision competition than ever before. And nothing would give me greater pleasure than to raise the Armenian flag in Oslo, and bring the Eurovision finals to Yerevan in 2011!!!!!!

-MARIA

Maria was born in Finland’s Arctic region and raised in the USA while her parents attended University. From her earliest days, she was raised in a musical household. At four years old she learned to play the violin, and by ten years old she was performing with her local Symphony. She met her husband, Paul for the first time after walking off an airplane at Los Angeles International Airport. They only knew each other from chatting online – and were introduced there by a pen friend of Paul's who also knew Maria's family. Love at first sight changed Maria's life forever.t would otherwise be unusual for a solo music project to reach such heights; however, Maria is not new to Pop music. Before moving to the USA, she had a successful career in Finland where she made a solo Pop record for EMI Music. She has since managed to find hit songwriting mentors, been taught by industry leading producers and engineers, paid her dues performing, and is now becoming a force in her own right. For example, in the fiercely competitive world of radio Maria has nearly 100 stations that support her music, also often interview her on-air.

Her debut album "Olipa kerran" was released in Finland in 1999. Her father Jake Voutilainen is a famous blues guitarist and Laura Voutilainen is her cousin. Her second album "On the rocks" was released in the States, produced by Jake and Maria plays all the instruments on it and her own children are the backing singers.

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Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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