Practice pupils at the Sibelius Academy

Published 5.3.2020 | Updated 19.5.2026

The practice pupil and the teacher meet weekly at the 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 2026–2027 is 27.7.–10.8.2026.

Instrument-specific guidelines

The need for practice pupils varies every year according to the needs of our current pedagogy students. In 2026–2027 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
• Rhythm music singing

Accordion

We welcome pupils who have already advanced 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 permanent. Previous experience is not required, an interest in playing the clarinet is enough
• young people 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 2026 autumn term and the other during the 2027 spring term. During both academic terms, we need pupils for various instruments: during the autumn term, 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 might be invited to a brief interview, which will take place on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki in August 2026 (date to be announced later). We will assist you in selecting your instrument at the beginning of the autumn term unless you already have a suitable one.

Jazz Music

We are looking for practice students for individual lessons and ensemble lessons. For individual lessons we welcome students who are more advanced than beginners and who also want to learn jazz improvisation. For ensemble lessons we are looking for students who are more advanced than beginners or professionals of another genre with experience in ensemble playing.

Kantele/Latvian kokle

We are looking for beginners in kantele and Latvian kokle or young students who have played for a maximum of 1–2 years. We offer instruction in Finnish or English/Latvian.

Organ

We welcome especially pupils who are between the ages of 12 and 30 and already have 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 the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Piano, free accompaniment

We welcome players of different experience levels – 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 24-25 August 2026 on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Classical singing

We welcome pupils who 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 24 August 2026 on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Rhythm music singing (pop/jazz singing)

We welcome 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 the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 24-25 August 2026.

Strings (violin, viola, cello and double bass)

We welcome 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 17 August 2026 on the premises of the 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.

Cello

The Sibelius Academy can provide some of the selected practice pupils with instruments and strings. Practice pupils are selected based on applications.

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 current pedagogy students.

Service fees

The service fee for a practice pupil is EUR 170 per academic term (EUR 340 per year). If there are two practice pupils from one family, the fee is EUR 130 per term for the second child from the same family. Uniarts Helsinki’s students and staff acting as practice pupils are exempt from the fee.

Invoices are sent by email during the autumn term in October-November and during the spring term in March. The invoice of a minor will be sent to their guardian.

The effect of the number of practice lessons on the service fee

The number of practice lessons does not affect the amount of the service fee, because the fee 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 portion of the fee will be compensated.

Structure and objectives of teaching

All practice pupils will receive a study plan in accordance with their personal 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 term. 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 organised with an extra cost. You can request to receive a certificate for your studies as a practice pupil.

Rules for practice pupil activities

Practice pupil

Commits to cooperation with the Sibelius Academy

• Takes part in the practice lessons
• Cancels the lesson if doing so is necessary, as agreed with the instructor
• Completes the weekly assignments diligently
• Takes part in other events, such as matinee performances, whenever possible

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 teacher

• Commits to cooperation with the supervising teacher and the pupil
• Commits to the study plan devised jointly with the supervising teacher, including its goals
• Plans and implements the practice lessons to the best of their ability
• Gives feedback to the pupil
• Gives a teaching demonstration at the end of the academic year

Supervising teacher

• Plans the teaching and sets the teaching objectives in cooperation with the practice teacher
• Supports and instructs the practice teacher
• Observes the instruction classes of the pupil
• Gives feedback to the practice teacher
• Provides a final assessment and the credit for the teaching practice

Practice lessons

The number of lessons depends on the instrument but is on average 14 lessons per both autumn and spring term. The supervising teacher observes 5-7 of the lessons per term, 10-14 lessons / academic year (instruction classes).