Reflecting the Political: People · Space · Sound
A three-part dialogue series exploring how political, social, and ethical dimensions emerge through musical practice.
The sessions focus on People, Space, and Sound as key elements through which musicians encounter the political in artistic and pedagogical work. This dialogue series is part of the research project Performing the Political: Public Pedagogy in Higher Music Education.
The series invites Sibelius Academy students and teachers to participate in moderated discussions with guest speakers, alongside short live performances by students or alumni.
Each session includes live music performed by current or former Sibelius Academy students, guest talks and moderated conversation, open audience discussion, and light refreshments and snacks.
This series prepares the community for the Performing the Political Festival in April 2026.
Dates and themes
10 February – People: Audiences and Communities
Guest Speakers: Sanna Salmenkallio, Merzi Rajala, and Jaime Belmonte.
RePo 1 focuses on people, audiences, and communities, examining music-making as a relational and public act shaped by responsibility, care, and reciprocity. The session brings together discussion and live music by Sofra Trio.
3 March – Space: Sites and Locations
RePo 2 focuses on space, sites, and locations, examining how the physical and social environment shapes performance and listening. It asks how place influences interpretation, and what artistic possibilities open up when musicians engage critically with their surroundings. The session brings together discussion and live music.
Guest Speakers: Ava Grayson and Riikka Talvitie
Live Music: Simone Spampinato and Kristine Tukre
17 March – Sound: Repertoire and Programming
RePo 3 focuses on musical material, repertoire, and programming, examining how artistic choices carry political and cultural meaning. It asks what values are embedded in what we perform and present, and how musicians can contribute to more inclusive and reflective musical futures. The session brings together discussion and live music.
Guest Speakers: Natasha Loges, Jussi Kannaste, Libero Mureddu and Keval Shah
Live Music: Gabriel Kivivuori and Keval Shah
The sessions focus on People, Space, and Sound as key elements through which musicians encounter the political in artistic and pedagogical work. This dialogue series is part of the research project Performing the Political: Public Pedagogy in Higher Music Education.
The series invites Sibelius Academy students and teachers to participate in moderated discussions with guest speakers, alongside short live performances by students or alumni.
Each session includes live music performed by current or former Sibelius Academy students, guest talks and moderated conversation, open audience discussion, and light refreshments and snacks.
This series prepares the community for the Performing the Political Festival in April 2026.
Dates and themes
10 February – People: Audiences and Communities
Guest Speakers: Sanna Salmenkallio, Merzi Rajala, and Jaime Belmonte.
RePo 1 focuses on people, audiences, and communities, examining music-making as a relational and public act shaped by responsibility, care, and reciprocity. The session brings together discussion and live music by Sofra Trio.
3 March – Space: Sites and Locations
RePo 2 focuses on space, sites, and locations, examining how the physical and social environment shapes performance and listening. It asks how place influences interpretation, and what artistic possibilities open up when musicians engage critically with their surroundings. The session brings together discussion and live music.
Guest Speakers: Ava Grayson and Riikka Talvitie
Live Music: Simone Spampinato and Kristine Tukre
17 March – Sound: Repertoire and Programming
RePo 3 focuses on musical material, repertoire, and programming, examining how artistic choices carry political and cultural meaning. It asks what values are embedded in what we perform and present, and how musicians can contribute to more inclusive and reflective musical futures. The session brings together discussion and live music.
Guest Speakers: Natasha Loges, Jussi Kannaste, Libero Mureddu and Keval Shah
Live Music: Gabriel Kivivuori and Keval Shah