One of Finland’s most prominent performers, singer and actress Maria Ylipää is known for multiple appearances in musical theatre, film and TV roles. Her perhaps greatest success to date is in the title role of the hit musical Kristina från Duvemåla by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in a run of some 300 performances in Helsinki, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Her most recent musical roles include Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County, Diana in Next to Normal and Anita in West Side Story. She was awarded the ‘Ensi linja’ music theatre prize in 2012.

Her recent TV roles include Tuula Aaltonen in Aallonmurtaja [Breakwater], for which she was awarded a Golden Venla for Best Actress in 2018, Ulla Lundelin in Koskinen and Harriet in Luottomies [Trusted man].

In music, Maria Ylipää is known as a wide-ranging performer equally at home with jazz bands, big bands and symphony orchestras. Her first album, a joint release with Emma Salokoski titled Omani uni [My own dream], was released in 2010. She released her first solo album, Onerva in 2013, followed by an album of tangos, Piazzolla!, in 2022. Her collaboration with Emma Salokoski continues in spring 2024 with an album titled Kauniita piikkejä [Beautiful thorns].

Maria Ylipää was awarded the Culture Prize of the Kordelin Foundation in 2019.