Ilona Nokelainen is a Soviet and Russian harpist. Born in Karelia on November 18, 1960, she studied at the Moscow Conservatory, where she was one of the leading students of harpist and professor Vera Dulova. The infobox also identifies her as a music educator.
Nokelainen won prizes at the All-Union Harp Competition in Moscow, the International Harp Competition of the Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the International Tribune of Young Performers competition in Bratislava. She took part in the World Harp Congresses in Maastricht and Vienna.
She has performed with chamber ensembles and as a soloist in works for harp and orchestra, and has played with leading Russian symphony orchestras. Since 2003, she has been a soloist with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Her performances have included venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Royal Albert Hall in London, Carnegie Hall, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and La Scala in Milan.
Nokelainen made recordings for the All-Union Radio's Golden Collection; some were included on two CDs she released. In 2006, she received the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.