Janika Sillamaa
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Janika Sillamaa (born on 23 June 1975[1]) is an Estonian singer and actress.
Born to the family of musicians, Janika found herself on stage at a very young age: in the musical theatre Colombina, founded by her mother Kaari Sillamaa, she played lead roles in children's musicals, such as "Thumbelina" and a revue programme "Mini-Cabaret", and many more.
In 1993, Janika performed at the Roskilde Rock Festival, at the same time she was studying at the pop-jazz department of the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn. Among her vocal-coaches were Jaak Joala[1] and Kare Kauks.
In 1992, Janika was internally chosen to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993. Her song, "Muretut meelt ja südametuld", however, failed to pass the qualifying round in Ljubljana and therefore was not able to participate in the Eurovision final, held in Millstreet, Ireland, that year.
The 1993 also saw her participation in a musical Jesus Christ Superstar where she sang the role of Maria Magdalena.
Soon after, in 1995, she formed her own rock group The Names to release a few singles, and 1998 saw her taking part in Eurolaul again but this time with a song written by her mother Kaari.
In 2000 Janika Sillamaa started a 4-year studium at the Higher Drama School of Estonia to become a stage director. Only a matter of months before her graduation, however, a red card was shown for delicate reasons, possibly. Neither of the sides, nor the commission or the drop-out herself have yet agreed to reveal on the matter. Despite the controversy over the diploma she never got to hold, Janika Sillamaa does stage directing at regular bases.
The 2000s (decade) also mark another turn to Janika Sillamaa's career. Several lead roles of blockbuster musicals have come on her credit, such as Elton John`s "Aida" (title role), Ulvaeus-Andersson`s "Chess" (Svetlana), Schönberg-Boublil`s "Miss Saigon" (Ellen) and Webber`s "Cats" to name a few.
In 2009, she formed a rock band, Famagusta, with friends and recorded a single, Rong, which she described as an anthem for women in their 30s.[1]
Janika Sillamaa has settled in Tallinn.
References
- ^ a b c "Famagusta" (in Estonian). Allstarz.ee. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2010-12-03.