Tarja Turunen is a Finnish lyric soprano and songwriter, known as the former lead singer of the Finnish Symphonic Power Metal Orchestra; she is considered one of the most important singers in Finland, and former Finnish President Tarja Halonen once called her the "Voice of Finland".

Taya was born in Kitai, Finland, and began studying music at the age of six. In 1996, she formed Nightwish with fellow student Tuomas Holopainen. That year, Taya also participated in the Savonlinna Opera Festival. But it wasn't until 1998, after the release of Nightwish's highly successful album "The Sea of Desire Reborn", that Taya became internationally known.

In 1999, Taya took part in several In 2000 and 2001, after completing her enrolment at the University of Music in Karlsruhe, Germany, she toured with Nightwish and recorded the album "Son of the Century". She also played on the Beto Vázquez Infinity album.

In 2002, Taya toured South America for the sold-out classical art song concert "Noche Escandinava. Later, Nightwish decided to take a break after the world tour of Son of the Century, and Taya returned to Karlsruhe. That year, Taya was voted best singer in Finland by the readers of Soundi magazine.

In December 2003, Finnish President Tarja Halonen and her husband invited Taya to the Presidential Palace in Helsinki for the Finnish Independence Day party. This event was the biggest social event in Finland. In addition to the praise of several newspapers and magazines, viewers of the Finnish TV station YLE considered Taya the most impressive lady of the evening.