Portfolio
Master of Music (2008, Sibelius Academy, Department of Folk Music) Milla Viljamaa is an award-winning musician, composer, arranger, educator, and music producer who works widely across different fields. Milla’s strengths lie in her effortless ability to cross genre boundaries and her passionate approach to everything she does. She has participated in numerous productions ranging from concerts and stage works to film music and studio productions, and she has toured internationally performing with various ensembles and orchestras.
Milla’s music has been released on dozens of albums. Her solo album Minne won the Teosto Prize in 2012 and was nominated for an Emma Award in the Ethno Album category. Her arrangements have been featured on Finnish national television, including the annually renewed special “Diandra ja Aarne – Kauneimmat joululaulut” (“Diandra and Aarne’s Most Beautiful Christmas Songs”). As a producer, she received a Gold Record for Lauri Tähkä’s album Jouluni laulut (“Songs of My Christmas”), and her children’s album Tiitiäinen – Milla Viljamaa’s Music to the Poems of Kirsi Kunnaswas awarded Children’s Album of the Year 2024 by the Finnish Children’s Music Association at the Jellona Gala.
As a musician, Milla was awarded first prize at the Astor Piazzolla International Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy (2002) with Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola.
Internationally, Milla has been a pioneer in promoting the harmonium as a concert instrument, performing both with her own ensembles and with orchestras around the world under the direction of Pekka Kuusisto (including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Nordica, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Västerås Sinfonietta, Camerata Bern, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonieorchester Basel, and Britten Sinfonia).
As an educator, Milla has published two teaching books that approach piano playing from the perspective of Finnish folk music (Kansanmusiikkia pianisteille, 2008, and Kansanmusiikkia pianisteille – alkeet [“Folk Music for Pianists – Basics”], 2012).
Music Samlpes
From Minne (2012), winner of the Teosto Prize and nominee for the Ethno Album Emma Award:
Awarded “Children’s Album of the Year 2024” by the Finnish Children’s Music Association: Tiitiäinen – Milla Viljamaa’s Songs to the Poems of Kirsi Kunnas.
“Mi Retorno” (2008) – Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola. Nominated for the Emma Award in the Ethno Album category.
Debut solo album (2008):
The debut single release by the new duo Kaksi Kuuta.
Composition: Milla Viljamaa & Jonna Pirttijoki
Lyrics: Sinikka Svärd
Arrangement, production, and recording: Milla Viljamaa
Mixing and mastering: Oona Kapari / Kuohu Studios
Arranger and conductor for the television production “Diandra and Aarne’s Most Beautiful Christmas Songs” (YLE, 2020).
Works as a composer
Works as a music producer
Videos
Milla Viljamaa performs “Antin Mikkon polska” (traditional) on the Helsinki Music Centre’s organ in an improvisational style. The video was produced for the Helsinki Music Centre’s social media channels on Kalevala Day 2025. The instrument is the world’s largest modern concert hall organ.
Solo harmonium music by Milla Viljamaa, from the Teosto Prize-winning album “Minne.”
Harmonium performance in an orchestral setting: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” concert in Norway with Pekka Kuusisto and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.
A composition, production, and performance by Milla Viljamaa, based on Helvi Hämäläinen’s story of relocating to Helsinki during the years of scarcity.
Releases and Publications
Jonna Pirttijoki: Liikaa and Toisillemme singles (2024 and 2025) – Producer, recording engineer, and musician; digital releases
Ordseglarna: Ordseglarna, Nordic folk music composed to poems – Composer, musician; CD (Kråktjärn) 10/2024
Milla Viljamaa: Tiitiäinen – Milla Viljamaa’s Music to the Poems of Kirsi Kunnas – Composer, producer, and musician; digital release (Viljamaa, Glims & Gloms) 9/2024
Awarded Children’s Album of the Year 2024 by the Finnish Children’s Music Association
Simo Heiskanen: Vielä päiviä öitä (poetry album) – Producer, arranger, and musician; CD 2022
Nordic Folk: Production music album, Universal Music UK (catalog music album for productions) 2019
Riikka Timonen & Senni Eskelinen: Perillä – Composer, arranger, and lyricist; CD 2018
Johanna Juhola: Diivan jäljet – Musician, arranger; CD 2017
Hereä: Veden värit – Composer, arranger, and musician; HEREA002; CD 2016
Nominated for Ethno Album Emma Award 2017
Markku Lepistö Trio: New Voices – Arranger and musician; Rapusaari Records; CD 2016
Lauri Tähkä: Polte – Arranger and musician; Universal Music; CD 2016
Saaga Ensemble: Kuullella – Composer, arranger, and musician; SAAGACD002; CD 2015
Lauri Tähkä: Jouluni laulut – Producer, arranger, and musician; Universal Music; CD 2014
Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Tango Diary – Composer and musician; MVJJCD001; CD 2013
Saaga Ensemble: Polku – Musician and arranger; SAAGACD001; CD 2013
Lauri Tähkä: Hurmaan – Arranger and musician; Universal Music; CD 2013
Johanna Juhola: Fantasiatango 2 Reaktori – Musician; JJCD002; CD 2012
Kansanmusiikkia pianisteille – alkeet (Folk Music for Pianists – Basics), Piano book from folk music point of view; concept and production (ISBN: 979-0-55001-265-3) 2012
Las Chicas del Tango: Tango de Norte a Sur – Composer and musician; ARC Music EUCD2365; CD 2012
Rinneradio: Starrk – Guest musician; CD 2012
Milla Viljamaa: Minne – Solo album of original music for harmonium and string quintet; composer, musician, and producer; MVCD001; 2011
Winner of the Teosto Prize and nominated for the Ethno Album Emma Award 2012
Johanna Juhola Reaktori: Tango Roto Live – Musician and composer; JJCD001; CD 2010
Johanna Juhola: Fantasiatango – Musician; Texicalli Records TEXCD106; CD 2010
Kanteleen Kyydissä: Kanteleen kyydissä – Children’s album, arranger and performer; Ääniä AANIA16; CD 2009
Milla Viljamaa: Paras aika päivästä – Solo album of original music; composer, musician, and producer; Aito Records AICD014; CD 2008
Kansanmusiikkia pianisteille – Piano book from folk music point of view; concept and production (ISMN 979-0-55001-159-5) 2008
Hereä: Hereä – Musician and composer; Plastinka Records PLACD048; CD 2007
Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Mi Retorno – Composer and musician; Texicalli TEXCD076; CD 2007
Nominated for Ethno Album Emma Award 2008
Las Chicas del Tango: La Voz Femenina – Composer and musician; Texicalli TEXCD079; CD 2007
Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Piazzolla Passage – Musician and arranger; Warner Music Finlandia Records; CD 2003