Heili Hannikainen

Heili Hannikainen (née Eespere) is a second-generation professional musician. Her career began at the age of four when she wished for a stylish, empty violin case as a Christmas present, but to her horror soon found herself taking violin lessons instead.

At the age of twelve, she fell in love with the soulful sound of the viola, and later also with the guitar.

At eighteen, a serious decision layed ahead, but the viola won, and she began her studies at the Sibelius Academy under the guidance of Jouko Mansnerus. In 2008, Heili graduated with excellent grades, earning a Master of Music degree in both viola and baroque viola.

From 2003 to 2007, Heili worked as principal viola in the Vaasa City Orchestra, and since 2007 she has been a permanent member of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alongside her studies and professional career, Heili Hannikainen has been active as a soloist and chamber musician in various countries. Since 2008, she has also been a permanent member of the string quartet FINESTre and the contemporary music ensemble TampereRaw.

As a devoted lover of animals and nature, she can be encountered daily in the forests, shores, and rocky landscapes around Lake Näsijärvi, with a backpack on her shoulders or a basket for mushrooms in hand, accompanied by her beloved Labrador retrievers, Elsa and Hertta.