The Instrument Academies comprise the String Academy, the Youth Piano Academy, the Woodwind Academy, and the Brass Academy. They all share the same goal: to provide talented and motivated children and young people with the highest quality music education.
The Instrument Academies are a registered association comprising the String Academy, the Youth Piano Academy, the Woodwind Academy, and the Brass Academy. Originally founded as separate entities, they came together under a joint umbrella association in 2023.
The common goal of the Instrument Academies is to provide talented and motivated children and young people with the highest quality music education. The students are aged between 8 and 22 and come from all over Finland.
The academies support the students' goal-oriented instrument studies by offering masterclasses during weekends and school holidays led by some of the best Finnish and international teachers. At the same time, students continue their weekly instrument studies with their regular teacher at their home school. The cornerstone of all the academies' activities is group work, with students learning not only from their teachers but also from each other.
The four academies also differ in their pedagogical approaches and objectives, as different instruments have different needs and pedagogical traditions. We therefore support the academies in maintaining their pedagogical autonomy, while encouraging them to find common ground on practical matters.
The umbrella association enables us to enhance the financial and organisational practices of the academies and increase their visibility among key stakeholders. It also facilitates synergies in teaching, such as sharing best practice and organising joint chamber music training.
The Instrument Academies have achieved outstanding results in raising the national standard of instrument education. Thanks to our successful students and alumni, the impact of our activities extends to international concert and competition venues.
From 2024 to 2027, the Instrument Academies Association will be supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.