Joy of music and dance for everyone!

Studies in the open conservatory are meant for all who are interested in studying music and dance.

The tuition consists of either short-term courses or at least one semester long lessons. We offer instrumental lessons, group lessons in music and dance, and various intensive courses in music and dance.

Open conservatory offers teaching for both children and adults. In addition, we build customized continuing education and services for different needs, for example, for professionals of music and dance as well as other professional and special groups. 

Music studies

During the school year 2022-2023 open conservatory offers instrumental lessons in different locations and group teaching (f. ex. orchestra and kantele-group) in Kuopio. By applying for group teaching or orchestra, the applicant commits to participation at least for one semester

Short courses on music

Open conservatory informs about short courses separately on this website, on social media or by using other advertising methods.

Instrumental lessons

Individual lessons

Open conservatory offers tuition in various instruments in different teaching locations of Kuopio conservatory. Instrument selection may differ between different locations. 

The duration of the lessons is either 20, 30 or 45 min. Tuition fees can be found from the section “tuition fees”.

Group teaching

During the school year 2022-2023 group teaching in the Open Conservatory is offered in Kuopio. Applicants commit to the tuition for at least one semester.

Adults’ kantele group

On Monday 18:50-19:50
Haapakulma, class 11

  • Adults’ kantele group
  • on Monday 18:50-19:50
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Haapakulma, class 11
  • Teacher: Master of Music, Silja Kallio
  • It is possible to participate with different sized kantele instruments. The musical material will be arranged to players of different levels and it is also possible to suggest material for the group. Participants should have their own instrument. Performance possibilities can be offered. 
  • The group is full at the moment. New participants are taken when possible. 

Senkka orchestra

On Monday 18:45-20:15

  • Group teaching: orchestra weekly rehearsals
  • Orchestra plays classical and “classical crossover” music
  • autumn semester 12 lessons and spring semester 13 lessons
  • on Monday 18:45-20:15
  • conductor: Timo Koponen (Kuopio Symphony Orchestra)
  • For anyone having some background with orchestral instruments. Especially strings are needed.

Dance studies

Open conservatory offers dance studies in Kuopio, Nilsiä and Juankoski in several groups. By applying for group teaching, the applicant commits to participation at least for one semester.

Adults’ dance (beginners) 

On Thursday 19:30-20:30

Lehtoniemi kindergarten, Kuopio

  • On Thursday 19:30-20:30, from week 2 on.
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Lehtoniemi kindergarten (address: Lehtoniementie 107)
  • Teacher: Marikki Gaye
  • Who can participate: no specific prerequisites but suitable also for those having some background with dance studies
  • Content: Different types of dance, such as contemporary dance, ballet and jazz dance, are emphasised based on the interests of the participants. Lessons also include restorative exercises. We offer a possibility of performing in Kuopio Conservatory’s dance shows. We proceed by listening to the needs of the participants.

Adults’ dance (beginners) 

On Thursday 18:45-19:45

Juantehdas school, Juankoski

  • On Thursday 18:45-19:45, from week 2 on.
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Juantehdas school, Juankoski
  • Teacher: Mari Toivanen
  • Who can participate: no specific prerequisites but suitable also for those having some background with dance studies
  • Content: Different types of dance, such as contemporary dance, ballet and jazz dance, are emphasised based on the interests of the participants. Lessons also include restorative exercises. We offer a possibility of performing in Kuopio Conservatory’s dance shows. We proceed by listening to the needs of the participants.

Adults’ ballet 2 (basic level)

On Wednesday 18:50-20.05

Hermanni, Hilima-hall

  • On Wednesday 18:50-20.05, from week 2 on.
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Hermanni, Hilima-hall (address Hermanninaukio 3)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery
  • Who can participate: Suitable for adults who have started their ballet studies in adulthood and have learned the basic terminology and fundamentals. We do not start from the basics, so a prerequisite for participation is a few years of dance studies (f. ex. ballet or contemporary dance). Max. 12 participants.
  • Content: Lessons include barre work, across-the-floor and centre work, jumps and pirouettes. We offer a possibility of performing in Kuopio Conservatory’s dance shows.
  • After this lesson it is possible to participate in “pointe shoes class”, which specialises in pointe technique. Prerequisite: sufficient ballet studies. A separate registration is needed for this lesson when studies start in September and it will be organised if there is a sufficient number of participants.

Pointe class 1

On Wednesday 20.05-20:35

Hermanni, Hilima-hall

  • On Wednesday 20.05-20:35 from week 2 on.
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Hermanni, Hilima-hall (address Hermanninaukio 3)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery
  • The course specialises in pointe technique. Prerequisite: sufficient ballet studies. A separate registration is needed for this course when studies start in September and it will be organised if there is a sufficient number of participants.

Adults’ ballet 3 (advanced)

On Monday 18:15-19.45

Hermanni Hilima, 2nd floor

  • On On Monday 18:15-19.45 from week 2 on
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Hermanni Hilima, 2nd floor (address Hermanninaukio 3)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery
  • Who can participate: Participants should have completed advanced studies in basic education of dance or have studied ballet for several years. Suitable also as additional exercise for dance professionals. Max. 12 participants.
  • Content: Lessons include barre work, across-the-floor and centre work, jumps and pirouettes. We offer a possibility of performing in Kuopio Conservatory’s dance shows.
  • After this lesson it is possible to participate in “pointe shoes class”, which specialises in pointe technique. Prerequisite: sufficient ballet studies. A separate registration is needed for this lesson when studies start in September and it will be organised if there is a sufficient number of participants.

Pointe class 2

On Monday 19.45-20:15

Hermanni Hilima, 2nd floor

  • On Monday 19.45-20:15 from week 2 on
  • Semesters: Autumn semester 12 x and spring semester 13 x
  • Place: Hermanni Hilima, 2nd floor (address Hermanninaukio 3)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery
  • The course specialises in pointe technique. Prerequisite: sufficient ballet studies. A separate registration is needed for this lesson when studies start in September and it will be organised if there is a sufficient number of participants.
  • 12th to March 1st 2024 on Friday 17.45–19.00
  • Price: 86 € + 24% vat.
  • Minimum of participants: 6 persons
  • Place: Kuopio Music Centre, dance studio (address Kuopionlahdenkatu 23 C)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery

This class is aimed for adults of all ages and all levels of dance experience. We will explore the concepts of space, levels, pathways, time and force through creative movement. We might also end up with experimenting some choreographic work. Each lesson starts with gentle warm up exercises and finishes with cooling down. 

This class is taught in English and Finnish. You don’t need to speak or understand Finnish to attend, but you might learn some Finnish along dancing!

Link to application form

Fitness for adult dancers

On Friday 17.45-19.00

Kuopio Music Centre, dance studio

  • March 15th to May 10th on Friday 17.45–19.00
  • Price: 86 € + 24% vat.
  • Minimum of participants: 6 persons
  • Place: Kuopio Music Centre, dance studio (address Kuopionlahdenkatu 23 C)
  • Teacher: Harriet Jeffery

Do you take dance class of some form (ballet, jazz, contemporary etc.)? Is lack of strength or mobility hindering your technique? Is it hard to find time for additional mobility training or is it difficult to know what to do? Join this class! Together, we warm up, strengthen and stretch the very muscles that are essential for dancing. The class is aimed especially at adults who are already dancing, but it is also suitable as a separate exercise for someone who just wants to improve their own well-being.

Link to application form