Biography

Minnamaria Hirvonen is a dance and performance artist with a multidisciplinary educational background in dance pedagogy, theatre expression, physical education, and health care.

She has completed studies in dance teaching and theatre expression at Turku Academy of Arts,
trained as a sports instructor at Pajulahti Sports Institute,
and holds a qualification as a practical nurse from Vocational College of Social and Health Care Riveria.

Her professional practice is informed by this diverse training, integrating embodied knowledge, movement-based expression, and an understanding of human interaction within both performance-making and community-based artistic work.

Artistic Practice

Minnamaria Hirvonen's artistic practice encompasses work as a dancer, performer, actor, choreographer, and director. Her key artistic works include solo performances, group choreographies, community-based projects, and interdisciplinary performance formats that combine movement, physical theatre, and spoken word.

Awards and Honours
Golden Medal of Merit of Finnish Performing Arts — Central Organisation for Finnish Theatre Associations, 2025 (for 25 years of service).

Since 2023, she has been working with poetry performance and spoken word in the project Kharon & Kerberos, exploring the intersection of text, voice, and embodied expression.

In 2022, Hirvonen created Möykky, a contemporary dance solo conceived as a personal artistic milestone, reflecting on age, identity, and the body.

Since 2015, she has been the creator, director, and choreographer of the Able Art Group concept, developing inclusive performance practices through group choreographies, workshops, and long-term artistic processes. The work has been presented both nationally and internationally.

Since 2014, Hirvonen has performed and facilitated workshops with the environmental performance character Miss Catastroph, a solo practice addressing themes of nature conservation and ecological awareness through embodied performance, presented nationally and internationally.

In 2011, she created and toured the physical theatre solo Donna Quijote – a kind of depression play, which toured nationally in collaboration with the Finnish Psychiatric Association.

Earlier works include the choreography Toivo, Tuulikki ja Tekla, a dance theatre production for all ages at Lappeenranta City Theatre (2007), as well as physical theatre solo works Raunioilla istuu opettajatar (Mikkeli; Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi, 2005) and Slaavitar (Turku and Mikkeli, 2001). She has also worked as a group choreographer and dancer in Sisterhood – Robin Hood in South Savo (2002).

Key Professional Roles

Freelance performance artist, community artist, and interaction facilitator, working with a wide range of commissioners, including Breaks Finland Oy, ACCAC Finland, and third-sector organizations in Finland (since 2000).

Artist expert in Russia–Finland project work; performer in museum drama tours and after-school activity instructor, commissioned by the City of Joensuu, Department of Wellbeing (2014–2020).

Instructor, Vocational College Luovi Oy (since 2023).

Regional Dance Artist for Eastern Finland, appointed by the Provincial Government (2000–2004).