Mariliis Valkonen (b. 1981) graduated from the Georg Ots Tallinn Music College in music theory and from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in composition, where she studied under Eino Tamberg and Helena Tulve. Her music has been performed by esteemed ensembles and orchestras, including the NYYD Ensemble, Ensemble U:, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the chamber choir Collegium Musicale, and the string quartet M4GNET. Her works have been featured at prominent festivals such as the Estonian Music Days, the Glasperlenspiel Festival, and the Autumn Festival of the Estonian Academy of Music.
Valkonen has a profound affinity for choral music. Among her works for mixed choir, Valge lind (White Bird) has been performed by numerous choirs worldwide, while Kodutee (The Way Home) was featured at the 10th Youth Song Celebration in 2007, and Elu on voolamine (Life is Flowing) at the 13th Youth Song Celebration in 2023.
Intuition plays a vital role in Valkonen’s creative process. Her music is characterized by clear rhythms, powerful gestures, and a desire to express the pulses and vibrations of the surrounding world through pulsating and undulating movement. Her work has earned her several accolades, including first prize at the Autumn Festival’s composition competition for her ensemble piece Teekonna juhus (Casualness of a Journey) in 2005. She has twice received the Estonian Music Days Composer Prize—first for The Detective (for three sopranos and percussion) in 2005, and later for Lendutõus (Ascension) for mixed choir and string quartet in 2013. In 2022, her work Vastuvõtt, vahendus (Reception, Mediation) was a nominee for the LHV Au-tasu award, and in 2023, she was awarded the Veljo Tormis Fund scholarship.