Harri Mäki studied clarinet in Finland with Osmo Vänskä and Kari Kriikku, and later continued his studies with Charles Neidich. He completed his education at the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève in the class of Thomas Friedli, graduating with a Premier Prix.

From 1988 to 2018, he served as Principal Clarinetist of the Tapiola Sinfonietta and built an extensive career collaborating with leading orchestras, conductors, and contemporary composers. He has premiered numerous works, including concertos written for him, and performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician.

Since 1995, he has been Professor of Woodwinds at the Sibelius Academy. Many of his former students have established successful orchestral careers and achieved notable results in international competitions. He is widely respected as a pedagogue, teaches masterclasses internationally throughout the year, and frequently serves on competition juries. He is also a former Artistic Director of the Crusell Music Festival.

In recognition of his work as both a performer and educator, he was awarded the title Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.

He performs on French-bore Seggelke clarinets made in Bamberg, Germany.