Demi Lovato’s power ballad “Skyscraper” became an international anthem of resilience in 2011 – a song that millions of fans found strength in during dark times. Yet, few realize that behind this American hit stands an Estonian creative force: singer-songwriter Kerli Kõiv.

In September 2019, viewers of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon were treated to an unlikely musical mashup. Puerto Rican rap star Residente brought fellow Boricua artist Bad Bunny on stage to debut their new reggaeton single “Bellacoso” – but the performance opened with the lilting melody of “Ievan Polkka,” a 1930s Finnish folk song. As Fallon enthusiastically introduced the act, the show’s cameras panned to a quartet of Nordic singers delivering the famous Finnish polka refrain a cappella.

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.