BIO // Kirsi Tunkkari

Choral Conductor / Singer /

Vocal Pedagogue

Kirsi Tunkkari is a versatile and passionate vocal music professional, inspired by musical harmony and timbral color. Her work is characterized by a deep focus on choral sound, a singer-centered approach, and the ability to build choirs into communities where artistic ambition and expressive presence coexist.

She has conducted choirs and and worked within vocal music since 2007. She is currently the artistic director of the Helsinki-based mixed choir Grex Musicusand the Swedish-speaking upper voices choir Evivakören. In addition, she sings in professional ensembles including The Helsinki Chamber Choir, Key Ensemble, and Tampere Cappella.

Her broad experience in vocal music spans from classical to rhythm-based repertoire. As a singer-centered conductor and pedagogue, she regularly coaches choirs in vocal technique and ensemble singing. As a classical singer, she has performed in several lied, oratorio, opera, and chamber music concerts. 

Leadership and collaborative ensemble work are central to her artistic practice. Her work is characterized by innovative and reflective artistic thinking, combined with a human-centered approach to choral leadership.

Kirsi began her studies in Centria University of Applied Sciences and holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees one in Music Pedagogy (2010) and the other in Instrument pedagogy in classical voice (2015). In 2017, she completed her Master of Music (Music Education) at the University of the Arts Helsinki, Sibelius Academy. In 2025, she graduated from the Choral Conducting program at Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

She has studied choral conducting with Markus Yli-Jokipii, Erik Westberg, Timo Nuoranne, Heikki Liimola, Kari Pappinen, Marita Kaakinen, and orchestral conducting with Olli Vartiainen, Hannu Norjanen, Antti Laasanen and Atso Almila.