Step into the lively world of Baroque music with organist–harpsichordist Markku Mäkinen as your guide! With his engaging and insightful approach, you’ll get hands-on with the style, sparkle, and spirit of Baroque performance.

You’ll explore solo repertoire—with pianists hopping over to the harpsichord—and dive into the art of continuo playing, all tailored to your own interests and experience. Got some Baroque chamber music you’ve been itching to try? Participants are also welcome to bring along music to work on together.

The workshop is taught in three 90-minute group sessions. Expect curiosity, collaboration, and plenty of musical discoveries along the way 🎶✨

Jump into the joy of chamber music and make music together with fellow Summer Academy students! You’ll play in ensembles ranging from intimate duos to larger groups, sharing ideas, energy, and sound along the way.

Got a dream chamber partner in mind? Let us know when you register—we’ll do our best to make the musical match happen. Ensembles and repertoire are put together after the registration period closes, and the sheet music will land in your inbox during June.

You’ll receive three 60-minute chamber music sessions, guided by the artists of the Summer Academy

In this workshop, each chamber music ensemble is joined by a festival artist who performs alongside the group and also serves as its mentor. This opportunity allows you to make music side by side with an experienced professional, learning from within the ensemble itself.

The ensembles and their repertoire will be formed after the Summer Academy registration period has ended. Sheet music will be sent to all participants in June, giving you time to become familiar with the music before the sessions begin.

You will receive three 60-minute chamber music sessions, designed to deepen musical dialogue, collaboration, and shared artistic discovery.

This workshop invites you to step into the creative heart of musicianship through your own compositions and the art of arranging existing music. By writing for a wide range of instrument combinations, we will explore how musical ideas take shape—

how sound, texture, rhythm, and harmony come alive.

The workshop welcomes participants from all backgrounds and experience levels. Whether you are just beginning your journey into composition and arranging, have been exploring it for years, or are an advanced or professional-level student, you’ll find inspiration, practical tools, and fresh perspectives.

The workshop consists of three 60-minute lecture sessions, designed to spark ideas and support your creative voice.

In these improvisation sessions, we’ll dive into different styles of improvising and a playful mix of creative exercises. We’ll experiment with rhythm, scales, and chords—and sometimes just let go and see where the music takes us.

The course includes three group sessions (3 × 75 minutes), plus a personal one-to-one lesson for each participant.

Group size is limited, so spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Come ready to listen, react, and have fun!

Do your hands shake? Does your breathing freeze?

Does your brain hit the panic button?

In the Performance Coaching Workshop, you’ll gain practical tools for facing performance situations through a variety of creative exercises and theatre games. The sessions focus on exploring what performance really is, becoming aware of its different phases, and recognising your own patterns of behaviour on stage.

The workshop is led with warmth and enthusiasm by actor and theatre expression instructor Timo Vuento. No previous experience in theatre or acting is required—just curiosity and an open mind!

Performance coaching sessions: 3 × 90 minutes

The Pilates sessions strengthen the body in a balanced and holistic way. The exercises improve posture and especially strengthen the body’s deep stabilising muscles. The movement sequences also support breathing, increase mobility in the spine and shoulder girdle, and promote freedom of movement.

Special attention is given to scapular stability, helping the arms move freely yet with support. Breathing exercises build a foundation for sound production supported by deep core muscles. Pilates helps create a balanced playing or singing posture that is both relaxed and well supported.

Session Themes

1. Core support and lumbar spine control

2. Scapular support and shoulder girdle control

3. Breathing and support for sound production

4. Balanced playing and singing posture

Instruction is provided in four 75-minute sessions.

The workshop is suitable for everyone, regardless of previous experience, and it is also possible to attend individual sessions. 

Group size is limited, and places are filled in order of registration.