Heli Lääts (1932-2018) *85

was an Estonian singer (mezzo-soprano) whose career began in the mid-1950s. Lääts predominantly performed estrada, chamber, pop, polka, and jazz music. Heli Lääts was born in Kuressaare, on the island of Saaremaa to Vladimir and Julia Lääts (née Allik). She was the youngest of three children and only girl. Her eldest brother was chemist Koit Lääts (1928–2008) and her other brother was physicist Valdur Lääts (1929–2002). She grew up in the village of Sauvere. During the German occupation of Estonia during World War II, Lääts' mother, a schoolteacher, was executed by German soldiers by gunshot on 18 November 1941 in a reprisal killing of villagers for the assassination of a German military officer. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her aunt Anna. Her father later remarried.

Lääts later atttended primary and secondary schools in Kivimäe and Rahumäe. In 1950, while contemplating attending the University of Tartu to study physical education, she was singing in a mixed-choir under the direction of Joosep Aavik. The choir traveled to Tallinn for the XIII Estonian Song Festival. Aavik introduced Lääts to singer Aleksander Arder, who, after hearing Lääts sing, asked her why she didn't wish to train as a singer. After a year teaching in Kuressaare, she changed her plans and enrolled at the Tallinn State Conservatory (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) in Tallinn, graduating in 1955. Her first year at the Conservatory, she was under the direction of singer Georg Ots.

In 1960, Lääts graduated with a degree in singing from the Conservatory, having studied under Tiit Kuusik. She was the first Estonian singer to receive a qualification in estrada and chamber singing.

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