Former Moses Lake pianist receives Finnish knighthood
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 4 weeks AGO
Moses Lake High School graduate Collin Hansen was recently honored with a knighthood for his contributions to the arts in Finland.
COURTESY PHOTO/COLLIN HANSEN
The Order of the Lion of Finland was created in 1942 when Finland was at war with the Soviet Union, in order to allow both Finnish and foreign nationals to be honored for their contributions to the country.
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | April 25, 2025 1:25 AM
MOSES LAKE — A former Moses Lake man was recently honored with a knighthood in Finland.
Collin Hansen, a 1975 graduate of Moses Lake High School, was awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland at a ceremony March 18.
“It’s an honor that every year … the president (of Finland) awards certain members of society,” Hansen said. “(It) was for my contribution to Finnish musical life and also, in my work at the university, helping a younger generation of musicians in Finland.”
Hansen, a highly-accomplished pianist specializing in chamber and vocal music, studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., and then took a master’s degree at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, according to the committee that awarded him the honor. He has taught at the Sibelius Academy since 1987.
“His inspiring student- and composition-oriented teaching has inspired entire generations of Finnish pianists, both at the Sibelius Academy and in numerous summer courses, to become enthusiastic about music,” the committee wrote.
Hansen’s talent became obvious at an early age, according to his mother, Vonnie Hansen, who lives in Moses Lake.
“From the time he could walk, he got up to the piano and touched the keys,” Vonnie Hansen said. “By the time he was 4 years old, he was playing his Sunday school songs by ear. He started taking piano lessons in the first grade.”
The Order of the Lion of Finland was created in 1942 to recognize outstanding civilian or military conduct, according to the Finnish government’s website.
In addition to his teaching, Hansen is also the creative director of the LuomuLaulu, or Time of Music, Festival in Viitasaari, Finland.
“We do concerts in granaries and barns, chamber music and lots of vocal music,” he said. “We have massive classes and students come and live in people’s guest houses. Central Finland is absolutely wonderful; it’s a pristine part of the country on a lake. We’ve had famous opera singers and chamber musicians come. It’s absolutely wonderful.”
The Order of the Lion of Finland was created in 1942 when Finland was at war with the Soviet Union, in order to allow both Finnish and foreign nationals to be honored for their contributions to the country.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”