Kaire Vilgats

Kaire Vilgats, born on January 11, 1976, in Pärnu, Estonia, is a celebrated Estonian singer and actress, particularly recognized for her extensive work in stage musicals. Her career has also seen her perform as a backing vocalist for Estonian entries in the Eurovision Song Contest on multiple occasions.

Growing up in the picturesque resort town of Pärnu, Kaire's musical journey began with accordion lessons at a local music school, followed by vocal training. She honed her skills in pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn under the guidance of esteemed vocal coach Silvi Vrait.

In 1999, Kaire gained recognition by securing third place in the Kaks takti ette competition for young vocalists organized by Estonian Television. This event was notably won by Tanel Padar, a prominent Estonian rock musician, with Eda-Ines Etti finishing second. That same year marked her theatrical debut as she joined the cast of the Estonian production of the musical La Cage aux Folles, leading to a series of supporting roles in various musicals.

Beyond performance, Kaire has also made significant contributions as the musical director of the Estonian Puppet Theatre in Tallinn, where she composed music for children's musicals, including the adaptation of Otfried Preußler's The Little Witch. In 2006, her talent was further recognized with a nomination for an Estonian theatre award for her supporting role as Amps in the musical Romeo & Julia.