Upcoming Events
October 4 & 11: Latin American Folk and Popular Music for Guitar (Free Workshop)
ISM Finland is proud to offer an educational and interactive evening exploring guitar playing techniques in Latin American folk and popular music! The workshop will also provide a practical overview of Latin American musical styles and genres.
This workshop is open to intermediate and advanced level guitarists, with or without Latin American music experience. You are encouraged to bring your instrument in order to participate in interactive learning.
What’s in store?
-
An introduction to genres and styles of Latin American folk and popular music: vals, pasillo; zamacueca, landó; marinera, cueca; milonga, rasguido doble.
-
Main guitar techniques for accompaniment guitar: strumming, bordoneo, abanico, chasquido, arpeggio.
-
Applied repertoire and basics of improvisation.
A certificate of participation can be provided upon request.
About the teacher:
Camilo Pajuelo Valdez is a Peruvian musician and researcher. He has studied guitar performance at the National Conservatory of Music of Lima, and has received his Master of Arts from the University of Helsinki. He is currently working towards his doctoral degree at the Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies (Musicology) of the University of Helsinki.
Besides his musical activity as guitar soloist, he has developed his career as a chamber musician. Thus, has founded and performed with ensembles such as the trio Zumbayllu, the guitar quartet Temple Diablo, the duo Fueye Trinador, and the Grupo Ondú. At present, he is performing, among other bands, with the duo Cantares and also cooperates with the Ensemble Wirakocha.
In the framework of a project of investigation and raising awareness about Andean Guitar, he has worked as an assistant in workshops conducted by Peruvian guitarists Raúl Garcia Zárate, and Manuelcha Prado Alarcón and worked on systematizing this repertoire. He has collaborated with several events to promote its dissemination and made various publications including a DVD tutorial on techniques and tunings of the Andean guitar.
Furthermore, he has taught at the National Conservatory of Music, the National School of Folk Arts “José María Arguedas”, the Catholic University of Lima, and as a visiting lecturer at University of Helsinki and the University of Valladolid in Spain. He has also worked as a guitar teacher at the Sibelius Academy (Global Music Department, University of the Arts Helsinki) and the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH-FRIMA).
WHEN: Saturdays 4.10. and 11.10.2025, 16.00-19.00
WHERE: ISM Seaside Studio (Ruoholahdenranta 1D, Helsinki)
PRICE: Free! Registration required. Register here.
Upcoming events will be posted soon.
You can view past events below.
Past Events
August 28: Indian Music Open Door Day! Free Workshops and Demonstrations
Join the International School of Music Finland’s Indian Music Department for a free evening exploring India’s rich musical heritage in a playful, welcoming way with interactive workshops and music performances for all ages!
The event features:
- Bollywood Music Demonstrations: Sing and dance along with some of India’s most loved tunes
- Indian Classical Music: Express your voice, align your energies, and experience calm through breath-work and Indian raga-based vocal exercises.
- Indian Music Playschool: A playful and interactive way to introduce Indian music to children
- Hands-on Tabla Demonstrations: Walk away with the thrill of your very first tabla rhythm in this interactive, hands-on, beginner-friendly session.
Why Join?
*A fun & interactive evening for all ages
* Sing, clap, and participate—no prior experience needed
*Watch live demonstrations by expert teachers
* Try out voice and rhythm exercises yourself
WHEN: Thursday, August 28, 17:00-19:00
WHERE: Monikko in Leppävaara: Veräjäpellonkatu 2-4, Espoo
FOR WHO: All ages
PRICE: Free
The event is free, but please register by filling in the following form: https://forms.gle/LHa2A7Bpj9oVgwAh9
August 14: Free Hands-On Instrument Demonstrations (Helsinki Night of the Arts)
Come visit the International School of Music Finland on Helsinki’s Night of the Arts for hands-on instrument demonstrations for all ages and fun music playschool workshops for children! You can also meet our teachers and learn more about our school and the lessons we offer.
We will have the opportunity to try out the following instruments:
- Drums
- Guitar
- Piano
- Violin
and more!
The event is for all ages. All of our teachers speak English and several other languages. We look forward to seeing you there!
WHEN: Thursday 14.08.2025 from 17.00-19.00
WHERE: ISM Studio (Hietalahdenkatu 8 & 10, Helsinki)
PRICE: Free!
August 16: Free Music Playschool Lesson
Join our teacher Zane Uitto for a free Music Playschool lesson in English! We are offering three free lessons on this day.
Lessons with parents:
9.30-10.00: Ages 6 months – 2 years
10.30-11.15: Ages 3-4 years
Lessons without parents:
11.30-12:15 Ages 4-7
Leave your worries outside the Playschool room door and enjoy some quality time making music! Our Music Playschool lessons have fun supervised activities appropriate for each child’s age: rhymes, movement, singing, instrument playing, and much more
Participation is free of charge, but you must register to reserve your place by filling out this short form: https://forms.gle/oF2vRkPESVQ56PxS9
We look forward to seeing you there!
WHEN: August 16
NEW LOCATION: ISM Finland Seaside Studio, Ruoholahdenkatu 1D, 00180 Helsinki
PRICE: Free!
May 17-25: End-of-Semester Student Concerts
We have five ISM end-of-semester concerts this year in Espoo and Helsinki. You can learn more about specific concert times from your teacher.
Concerts in Espoo:
- May 25: Concert at Espoo International School
- May 25: Concert at Lippulaiva library
Concerts in Helsinki
- May 17: Concerts at Pasila library
- May 18: Concerts at Töölö library
- May 24: Concert at Lauttasaari Church for selected students
We look forward to hearing all the wonderful performances from our students!
May 18: United Through Music Free Choir Concert
The Indian Music Choir is made up of children ages 6-13 who practice and perform Indian music using traditional ethnic traditions. The choir is conducted by musician and educator Ujjainee Ghosh and is based in Espoo. More information: https://ismfinland.org/indian-music-lessons/#choir
When: Sunday, May 18 at 1pm
Where: Espoo International School, Lillhemtintie 1, Espoo
Price: Free!
May 10: Mother’s Day Eve Choir Concert
Join us for a concert to celebrate family, love, and music at Espoo’s Lippulaiva Library on the day before Mother’s Day. The ISM Children’s choir will perform repertoire consisting of old standards and new songs that will showcase what they have learned during the spring semester.
When: Saturday, May 10
Where: Lippulaiva Library, Espoonlahdenkatu 8, 02320 Espoo
Price: Free!
May 3: Free Rhythm Workshop for ISM Students
Italian jazz drummer Alessandro D’Anna will be providing a fantastic opportunity for students to dive into the wonderful world of rhythms in a hands-on interactive session.
Students will engage with rhythms from different countries through body percussion and hands-on drumming exercises and will develop an understanding of rhythmic patterns to enrich their rhythmic feel in any music genre. Students of all levels are welcome to join this fun interactive workshop!
When? Saturday, May 3, from 15.00-16.00
Where? ISM Studio, Hietalahdenkatu 8 Helsinki
For Who? Any ISM student enrolled in individual or group lessons
Registration: Click here to register. The workshop is free, but registration is required.
April 27: Free Workshop in Espoo: A Drawing That Makes Sounds!
Join us for a fun workshop for kids to explore how visual art and sound come together in a playful and creative way!
This workshop is designed for children from preschool to primary school (but every age is welcome to join!).
The workshop will be facilitated by the ISM teacher Livia Schweizer, along with students and musicians from the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts. The goal of the workshop is to create a space for children’s creativity to meet with sound in an immersive and collaborative way.
This is a free event, and materials will be provided.
When: 27.4.2025 at 13-15
Where: Espoonlahdenkatu 8, 02320 Espoo
March 26: Jazz Meets Indian Music Workshop
ISM Finland and the Global Music Centre are proud to announce an educational and interactive evening exploring the intersection of jazz and Indian music! This workshop is open to intermediate and advanced level musicians of all instruments. You are welcome to bring your instrument. A piano will be available at the location as well.
What’s in store?
- An educational and entertaining introduction to South Indian classical music (melodies and rhythm)
- Enhance your repertoire with composition practice
- Exploring the intersection between Jazz and Indian classical music
- Advanced students will discover improvisation techniques, drawing on inventive interplay and real-time composing
About the teacher:
Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth is a renowned Carnatic violinist and composer, acclaimed for her global performances and collaborations across genres. She has received prestigious awards, contributed to over 300 Indian films, and performed at major venues like BBC Proms and Royal Albert Hall. A medical doctor by training, she seamlessly blends tradition with innovation in her music.
WHEN: Wednesday 26.03.2025, 18.00-19.30
WHERE: Global Music Centre (Hämeentie 34 D, 00530 Helsinki)
PRICE: Free! Registration required. Register here.
March 23: “Musical Instrument Path” for Children Ages 5-12
The Helsinki Musiikkitalo and the Finnish Association of Music Schools invites children from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to explore the diverse world of music and musical instruments. Welcome to try out musical instruments and get excited about making music!
At the event, you can explore the following musical instruments with the help of friendly teachers:
String instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass
String instruments: guitar, ukulele, harp, kantele and concert kantele
Wind instruments: flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone, oboe and bassoon
Brass instruments: French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn and tuba
Keyboards: piano and accordion
Percussion instruments: various drums and percussion instruments
Singing: classical, children’s songs and choir
Electric instruments: electric guitar, electric bass and other electric instruments
The Instrument Path is best suited for 5–12 year olds, but older children can also try out musical instruments to help them consider a musical hobby.
WHEN: Saturday, March 23 from 10am-2pm
WHERE: Helsinki Musiikkitalo
PRICE: Free!
August 15: Instrument Demonstrations and Music Workshops (Helsinki Night of the Arts)
Come visit the International School of Music Finland on Helsinki’s Night of the Arts for hands-on instrument demonstrations and fun music workshops! You can also meet our teachers and learn more about our school and the lessons we offer.
Instrument demonstrations (take place between 17.00-19.00, unless otherwise noted):
Piano
Guitar
Violin
Flute
Drums (from 17.00-18.30)
Workshop schedule:
16.00-16.20- Piano pre-instrument group workshop.
16.30-16.50 – Ukulele interactive demonstration for children ages 7-10.
17.00-17.20 – Indian Music and Raaga Therapy Session
17.30- 17.50- Storytelling and soundscapes for children ages 4-7 by Livia Schweizer.
18.00-18.20- Soundpainting for adults
18.30-18.50- Drumming circle
WHEN: Thursday 15.08.2024, 16.00-19.00
WHERE: ISM Studio (Hietalahdenkatu 8 & 10, Helsinki)
PRICE: Free!