Vilnis Salaks was born on January 18, 1939 in Riga in the family of conductor, choirmaster and composer Artūrs Salaks. He received his education at Jāzeps Mediņš Music High School and Jāzeps Vītolas State Conservatory. He started his professional career at the age of 14, writing a lullaby for the piano. Worked as a pedagogue at the Jāzeps Mediņš Music High School and an assistant professor at the Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music of Latvia. Has written more than 1400 compositions, 4 symphonies, 2 symphonic poems, 5 concerts. Since 1964, he has been leading the men's vocal ensemble of the VEF Culture Palace.
