Markku Luolajan-Mikkola (b. 1957) studied cello with Arto Noras at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he received his diploma in 1983. An interest in baroque music led him to summer courses with Laurence Dreyfus and later to Holland, where he studied with Wieland Kuijken and Jaap Ter Linden at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and received postgraduate diplomas in viola da gamba and baroque cello in 1992.

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola has earned distinction as a recital soloist and chamber musician. He is a founder member of the celebrated Phantasm viol quartet. His engagements include appearances in Europe, America and Asia. The Finnish Broadcast Company honoured him as 'Musical act of the year 2003' which was awarded after his 'Gambaa!' recital series of French baroque music: he gave c. 50 recitals, playing numerous different programs. A special interest of Luolajan-Mikkola's is contemporary music commissioned for the bass viol.

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola's solo and chamber music recordings have received enthusiastic critical acclaim, and are available on the Alba, AVIE, BIS, Simax, Channel Classics, Decca, GMN and Toccata Classics labels. On three occasions his recordings have been nominated for a Gramophone Award, two of which went on to win: Henry Purcell Fantasies in 1997 and Orlando Gibbons Consort for viols in 2004, both played by Phantasm. Recordings have also been noted as Editor's Choice (Gramophone), Recording of the Month (Rondo magazine) and Best Recordings of the Year (Helsingin Sanomat) as well as Diapason d'or and Choc du Monde de la Musique.

In the 1980s Markku Luolajan-Mikkola dedicated himself to teach cello playing and many of his former students are now active in various fine European orchestras and chamber ensembles. He is currently teaching at the Sibelius Academy. In 2002 he founded the Lu-Mi Strings company, producing fine hand made baroque instruments in Beijing.

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