Practice pupils
We train instrument and voice teachers, who gain valuable experience by practising their pedagogical skills with their practice pupils.
The practice pupil and the teacher meet weekly on the premises of Sibelius Academy, and the teaching lessons are supervised by a senior teacher. We welcome all kinds of instrumentalists and singers as our practice pupils, from young beginners to advanced pupils.
Application period
The application period for practice pupil studies in 2025–2026 is 10.6.–11.8.2025. The results of the application process will be sent to every applicant via email during September at the latest.
Instrument-specific guidelines
The need for practice pupils varies every year according to the current situation of our pedagogy students. In 2025–2026 we are looking for practice pupils for:
- Classical music: accordion, clarinet, classical singing (Helsinki), classical piano, guitar, kantele/kokle, organ (Helsinki), percussion, string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass), trombone
- Folk music
- Free accompaniment (piano)
- Jazz music (ensemble lessons)
- Rhythm music singing
Accordion
Welcomes players who are already further in their studies and master the basics of the instrument. Tuition is given both in Finnish and English.
Clarinet
We are looking for:
- children of at least 8 years of age whose front teeth have already become permanen. Previous experience is not required, an interest in playing the clarinet is enough AND
- youngsters or adults who are already further in their studies.
Folk Music
We are looking for practice pupils for two semester-long courses – one course is held during the fall semester 2025 and the other during the spring semester 2026. During both semesters we need players for various instruments – during fall primarily for kantele, accordion, wind instruments and voice and in spring for accordion, violin and small kanteles. We welcome applicants who are advanced in their studies, beginners, as well as players of all levels in between. Students of all ages who are interested in folk music and instrument studies are welcome to apply.
Guitar
We welcome both beginners and more advanced players of different ages as guitar practice pupils. Based on the applications, some of the applicants will be invited to a brief interview, which will take place on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 23 August 2025. We will assist you in selecting your instrument at the beginning of the autumn semester unless you already have a suitable one.
Jazz Music
Welcomes advanced pupils who are interested in learning jazz improvisation, too. In jazz music, the offered tuition alternates yearly: individual lessons starting in the fall semester in odd-numbered years, ensemble lessons starting in the fall semester in even-numbered years. During the academic year 2025–2026, the tuition will be given as individual lessons.
Kantele/Latvian kokle
We are looking for pupils with advanced skills for the concert kantele or Latvian kokle. We offer tuition in Finnish or English/Latvian.
Organ
Welcomes especially pupils that are between the ages of 12 and 30 and already have some kind of a background in piano playing.
Percussion
We welcome both beginners and more advanced players of different ages as percussion practice pupils. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
Piano, classical
We are looking for beginners between the ages of 5 and 8 as well as more advanced players who have completed at least the advanced level studies in a music institute (formerly MOT level). We are also looking for English-speaking beginner-level pupils for our international students. Some applicants will be invited for a brief exam and interview that will be held at the beginning of September on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Piano, free accompaniment
Welcomes players of different levels of experience – those who have just started their studies and those who are already further in their studies. The applicant is expected to know how to read sheet music and to know some chords. Some applicants will be invited for a brief exam and interview that will be held on 19–20 August 2025 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Classical singing
Welcomes pupils that are at least 18 years old. We hope the applicants have already studied music and know how to read sheet music. Based on the applications, some of the applicants will be invited for a brief exam that will be held on 27 August 2025 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Rhythm music singing (pop/jazz singing)
Welcomes pupils between the ages of 12 and 30. Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief exam that will be held on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 18-19 August 2025.
Strings (violin, viola, cello and double bass)
Welcomes players of all ages – both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
- Violin: Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief interview and exam that will be held on 18 August 2025 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
- Viola: Young (approx. 5 to 10 years) selected as practice pupils can borrow a French Sabatier viola and a bow for the semester.
- Double bass: It is possible for the selected practice pupils to borrow or rent an instrument for the academic year.
Trombone
For trombone we are looking for practice pupils of various ages and levels – both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. The minimum age is 7 years. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
Application process
We will contact all applicants after the selection process via email. Please note that we can only accept a limited number of applicants as practice pupils and our needs vary every year based on our pedagogy student situation.
Service fees
The service fee for a practice pupil is EUR 170 per semester (EUR 340 per year). If there are two practice pupils from one family, for the other child the fee is EUR 130 per semester. University of the Arts Helsinki’s students and staff acting as practice pupils are exempt from the fee.
Invoices are sent by e-mail during the fall semester in October-November and during the spring semester in March. The invoice of a minor will be sent to their guardian.
NOTE! The number of practice lessons does not affect the amount of the service fee for the fee in question is not a tuition fee. However, if the number of lessons received during a semester is five (5) or less for reasons not dependent on the practice pupil, a part of the fee will be compensated.
Goal-oriented learning
All practice pupils will receive a study plan in accordance with their individual goals, which will be updated if necessary. For the pedagogy students, the objective of the teaching practice is to become versatile professionals, due to which the repertoire of the practice pupils will include music of different styles and genres. The teaching practice allows the Sibelius Academy student to learn, among other things, to plan and evaluate their teaching, develop their pedagogical and interaction-related skills, and teach the technical and artistic aspects related to the repertoire of their own instrument or subject in a versatile way.
The number of lessons depends on the instrument but is usually 14 lessons per both autumn and spring semester. The duration of one lesson is up to 45 minutes. For young children, the usual duration of one lesson is 30 minutes.
The practice pupils will pursue their studies under the teacher trainee and a supervising senior teacher, who oversees the training. We expect the practice pupils to commit to the lessons for both the autumn and the spring term and to do their weekly homework meticulously. Practice pupils will perform in student matinees during the terms. They will also take group lessons as necessary.
The guardian of an underage practice pupil has the right to observe the lessons. If the guardian does not attend, they accept that some lessons may be one-on-one between the pupil and the practice teacher.
Practice pupils do not complete level performances automatically. If the need arises, performance examinations may be organized with an extra cost. You can request to receive a certificate for your studies as a practice pupil.
Contact
siba.harjoitusoppilaat@uniarts.fi