Heliä Mailiis Viirakivi is a versatile Finnish artist whose work spans across contemporary classical music, experimental contemporary music, contemporary improvisation and interdisciplinary concepts. Trained in classical music, contemporary music, and contemporary improvisation at the Helsinki Conservatory and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, she has developed an unique artistic voice that integrates extended vocal and instrument techniques and folk melody influences, all rooted in classical singing technique.
Picture 1 by Andrea Gu
Picture 2 by Leif Laaksonen
Her career features premieres and collaborations with emerging artists in contemporary and improvised music, as well as visual arts. Highlights include her soloist role with the Tallinn International Youth Orchestra at the Iberofest Tallinn, performances at the Time of Music festival in Finland and Müriaad festival in Estonia in 2022. In 2023, she worked with Robert Fleitz in Latvia, premiered new pieces at the COMPOSTER festival in Estonia, and performed at the Mixtur festival in Barcelona. In 2024 Viirakivi's activities include performances with the improvising duo MURUAGAMAILIIS in Switzerland and Latvia, with Hälytaidekollektiivi at the SLURPS - A new stage for contemporary art event in Joutsa Finland and performances with the folk-gospel quartet L'Armonia. Furthermore, she also works in two months artist residency at the Estonian Schoenberg association in Pärnu in August-September and creates an interactive art installation in Helsinki at the Asbestos Art Space in November in collaboration with Finnish painter Ulla Aurio. She is a member of the L'Armonia voice quartet, Ääni-ilmiö improvisers collective, NARAT trio, KRIHEVA improvisation trio, Solehmainen/Viirakivi duo as well as Hälytaidekollektiivi which she founded in aim to enhance alternative improvisation scene in Helsinki.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Viirakivi is an active cultural worker, serving as a board member, producer and curator for projects with Kamarikuoro Gloria, Asbestos ry, Hjorted Art and Music festival and product manager at the F-Music stores. In 2024, she produced and curated the Music For Three Spaces concert series in Helsinki, co-produced Estonia meets Helsinki concert and co-produces the Hjorted Art and Music Festival in Hjorted Sweden.