Dr. Riikka Pietiläinen Caffrey is a Finnish-American teaching artist, conductor, and singer, currently living in the Boston area.

Riikka, a native Finn, is frequently invited as a clinician for choral ensembles in Europe and within the United States. Her research focuses on equity and inclusivity in music education, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and challenging the patriarchal narratives in music. Her recent collaborative projects have featured poets Proshot Kalami and Rhina Espaillat, Finnish dancer and choreographer Laura Pietiläinen, composer Kristin Vining, harpist Felice Pomeranz, and pop artist Rie Daisies among others. Riikka has held academic positions at American University in Beirut, Lebanon, Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. Fall 2023 she will begin a new position at Boston College, where she will serve as an Associate Professor of the Practice and Director or Choral and Vocal Performance.

Riikka is an active member of the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee of the American Choral Directors Association.

Riikka’s compositions have been published by Alliance Music Publications and Kandinsky Music. Riikka holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Performance from the City College of City University of New York as well as Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado.

Full curriculum vitae available upon request.