Biography

Studies
Maarit Aura was born in North Karelia, in eastern Finland. She began her voice studies in Joensuu Conservatory.
2002-11 Maarit studied at the Sibelius Academy Department of Vocal Music with vocal coaches such as Seppo Ruohonen, Ritva Auvinen and Outi Kähkönen. In 2007 Maarit studied at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar with Bettina Denner. Maarit received her Master's degree in the autumn of 2011.
Maarit Aura has attended master classes of Monica Groop, Martin Katz, Stefano Algieri, Udo Reinemann, Wilma Vernocchi, Larissa Gergieva, Measha Brueggergosman and Norma Enns. When attending Peter Gülke's course on La Nozze di Figaro, she sang the role of Cherubino.

Performances
Maarit Aura has enjoyed great success as a concert soloist. She has given many lied concerts in Finland as well as abroad.
In 2002 Maarit Aura made her operatic debut in the role of the Priestess in Jani Siven's ”The women of Troy”. The opera was performed in Helsinki Conservatory and in Hebbel Theatre, Berlin.
In Sibelius Academy productions Maarit Aura has appeared in the roles of Ottavia in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Cherubino and Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte.
In 2006 Maarit Aura sang the role of Siegrune (Die Walküre) in a festival of the Finnish Wagner Company. Also in 2006 she sang in a virtual opera, which was a visionary collaboration of the Sibelius Academy and Helsinki University of Technology.
In opera ensemble performances Maarit Aura has sung roles like Carmen, 3. Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Alice (Falstaff), Marja (Juha) and Riitta (The Last temptations).

Performances 2009-12
In the spring of 2009 Maarit Aura was invited by the Minister of Culture to give a song recital in Iraq. She was accompanied by the famous conductor and pianist Pekka Haapasalo. While in Iraq Maarit Aura gave a master class at Arbil University of Arts.
During 2010 Maarit Aura has sung in a gala concert serie of Joensuu Opera association. Maarit was selected as a opera soloist of the year 2010. She also held christmas concert tour with Reetta Haavisto, Antti Pakkanen and Ritva Koistinen and sang in several new music dramas of Paavo Joensalo.
During 2011 Maarit Aura has organized Stabat Mater tour with soprano Susanna Laine. She also acted as a music journalist in Finnish broadcasting company and sang alto in Finnish National Opera choir. In 2012 Maarit will perform in Kristina från Duvemåla musical of Helsinki Swedish Theatre. At june 2012 she will perform in Fröken Julie opera of Ilkka Kuusisto in Feldkirch, Austria. She will sing the leading role of Miss Julie.