Mari Liukkonen (b. 1977) graduated as a church musician from the Oulu Conservatory in 1999. Her main instrument was the organ. She also graduated as a music teacher from Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences in 2006, focusing on early childhood music education. Her main instrument was singing, and she is still pursuing vocal studies alongside her work. She also sings in three professional choirs in Finland. Liukkonen has worked both as a cantor-organist and as an early childhood music teacher at various educational institutions, organizations and churches. Since autumn 2017, Liukkonen has served as a cantor-organist in the Hailuoto parish.
Liukkonen started practicing music in the age of four with a children's choir and piano lessons. During her childhood and youth music studies, her instrument was the violin, but as she progressed to professional church musician studies, the violin changed to piano, organ and singing. In addition to these, Liukkonen also plays eg. guitar, ukulele, viola, recorders, kantele and rhytmical instruments, including also Orff-instruments. Liukkonen regularly performs as a singer, accompanist and choir member.
Liukkonen has studied composing and arranging music eg. In Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. In 2009, she was awarded the 1st prize in the “Musiikkia meille ja teille” -composition competition organized by the early music teachers' association. In the 2019 “Uutta kamarikuoromusiikkia pohjoiseen” -competition organized by the Seitakuoro, her composition reached the 4th place. Liukkonen composes and arranges singing and choral music, especially for her own work, but also for various ensembles.
