When Estonian-born, New York–based artist Valev Laube first began sketching out ideas for a modest EP in early 2025, he didn’t know it would grow into a full-length, emotionally charged album about healing, balance, and rebirth. What started as a few quiet sketches for violin and piano became a profound sonic diary—an unguarded reflection of what it means to find peace after turmoil.

At just 19 years old, Estonian-born bassoonist Robert Nael is already making waves across continents. In 2025, he was honored as one of the winners of the Foundation for Estonian Arts and Letters’ Young Artist Grant, a recognition that shines a spotlight on emerging Estonian talent thriving in the United States.

On September 11, 2025, Estonia’s most celebrated composer, Arvo Pärt, marked his 90th birthday amid tributes spanning the globe. It’s a milestone for a musician whose journey led from a small Baltic town to the pantheon of contemporary classical music. Born in 1935 in the central Estonian town of Paide and raised in Rakvere, Pärt came of age under Soviet rule and first made his mark experimenting with avant-garde techniques.

Estonian-American multimedia artist Valev Laube – celebrated as a musician, composer, and producer – is gearing up to release a new EP titled Equinox later this year. The upcoming EP marks Laube’s first major music release since his debut album Liminal, which arrived on January 1, 2025.

The Foundation for Estonian Arts and Letters has announced the recipients of its 2025 Young Artist Grant, shining a spotlight on a new generation of Estonian talent thriving in the United States. This year’s honorees – Ingmar Kiviloo, Robert Nael, and an honorable mention Tjorven Hairfield – exemplify how cultural heritage can be a wellspring of creativity. Their personal journeys in music and community leadership reflect a vibrant Estonian-American artistic scene, one where tradition and innovation meet in inspiring ways.

When you think of a solo instrument in classical music, the bassoon might not be the first to come to mind. But Estonian-born bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann has spent his career turning this unsung instrument into a show-stopper. With charismatic performances that The New York Times has praised as “dynamic… amazing… gripping…,”

Johanna Telander’s second poetry collection, The Resilient Flutter of Butterflies, explores the strength found in vulnerability and the quiet power of kindness. The Finnish-American poet and multidisciplinary artist—also known for her musical compositions—invites readers into a world where softness becomes a form of resilience. With intimate honesty, Telander’s verses show that even the most fragile wings can carry us through adversity, ultimately illuminating hope and healing.

Thelma Sigurhansdóttir, also known as Thelma Gella, has launched her debut solo exhibition: Habitat at the Art Lab Gallery, in Staten Island. An Iceland native, completing her BA in Studio art at CUNY in New York City, Thelma’s work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Iceland, and Denmark. Outside of her studies, Thelma currently works as a sculpture assistant for a Brooklyn-based artist.

The Northern Voice has a first look at Valev Laube’s new single “Halo in Freefall,” a dreamy composition currently available as an early preview track on SoundCloud.

In the windswept Baltic isles of Estonia, a young girl learned skincare secrets passed down through generations. Decades later, that girl – Eha Urbsalu – is a New York City entrepreneur bottling those very Viking beauty secrets for the world. With an international career spanning beauty pageants, fashion runways, and even Hollywood film sets, Urbsalu has never lost sight of her Estonian heritage. Today, as the founder of Viking Beauty Secrets, she blends the natural wisdom of her homeland with modern, organic skincare innovation. Her story is one of cultural pride, female entrepreneurial grit, and a mission to prove that clean, sustainable beauty rooted in tradition can captivate a global audience.