Martti Rousi began his cello studiesinspired by Finnish cellist Timo Hanhinen and Seppo Kimanen. He was studied at the Sibelius Academy with Arto Noras, the Indiana University with Janos Starker, and regularly had master classes with William Pleeth, Valter Deshpalj, and Natalia Gutman.

Rousi won the silver medal at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow. Since that he has been performing with world leading orchestras, and working with well-known conductors. Rousi also collaborated with many maestros, such as Leonidas Kavakos, Peter Nagy, Olli Mustonen, Massimo Somenzi and Juhani Lagerspetz etc. Rousi was the artistic director of TurkuMusic Festival, during his years many legendary artists like Svjatoslav Richter, Yehudi Menuhin, Vladimir Ashkenazy appeared there. Recently, he became the artistic director of SIBAFEST, the artistic director of Sibelius series, and the artistic director of Suvisoitto. He has been serving as a jury member for major competitions like the Tchaikovsky competition, Vittorio Gui in Florence, Solistpriset in Stockholm and Paulo Cello Competition in Helsinki.

Since 1995 Rousi has been professor of cello at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. His cello class there is attracting talents from aroundthe world. He is invited to give master classes in leading academies on all continents, and he regularly teaches at the House of Music in St Petersburg. His recordings include several solo and chamber recordings for ONDINE and FINLANDIA labels.

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