Studies
Our aim is to give every student a broad musical education, strong playing skills and a lifelong relationship with music.
Lessons and ensemble playing
Classical music
Piano, strings, wind instruments, guitar, voice, kantele and accordion.
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Pop, jazz & rock
Pop, rock and jazz
Band playing, electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and voice.
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Part of your studies
Group subjects
Music perception studies, orchestras and choirs.
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Ages 0 to 6
Music playschool
The joy of music through singing, games and playing.
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Small group
Preparatory studies
Try several instruments before choosing your own.
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Free of charge
Hobby Path
Free music groups at Espoo schools as part of the City of Espoo’s Hobby Path.
Read more →From daycare age to advanced studies.
Studies progress from one level to the next. Music studies suit people of all ages.
Music playschool
The joy of music through singing, games and playing. A sense of rhythm, form, harmony and melody develops in an encouraging atmosphere.
Preparatory studies
In preparatory studies (the instrument carousel and the kantele preparatory group), children get to know an instrument and learn the basics.
Basic studies
Technique, repertoire and expression on your own instrument develop week by week, alongside ensemble playing and music perception studies.
Advanced studies
Students shape their studies according to their own interests and complete a final project based on goals they set themselves.
The hours for basic and advanced studies are indicative. The actual length of studies depends on each student’s skills and interests.
Classical music.
Every student has their own teacher and a weekly individual lesson. Lessons cover how to practise, playing technique, expression and new repertoire.
Students learn why daily practice matters. Ensemble playing in small groups and orchestras, together with music perception studies, is an important part of the studies.
Instruments
A second instrument
Students can apply for a second instrument if their main studies are going well and they show particular dedication.
Pop, rock and jazz.
The aim is to develop technical skills on your instrument and to get to know different styles of pop, rock and jazz. Playing together is an important part of the studies.
AMP: the roots of African-American music
In pop, rock and jazz, music perception studies are called AMP. It focuses on the cultural heritage that pop, rock and jazz are built on. Theory, ear training, transcription and band playing are combined into one subject: each weekly lesson has a theory part and a band rehearsal.
Instruments
Pop, rock and jazz lessons take place at Bändikeidas, Pihatörmä 1 A. Performing is an essential part of the studies.
Music playschool and preparatory studies.
Early childhood music education is goal-oriented and supports children’s motor and cognitive development, their personality as a whole and their social growth.
Through the core ways of working (singing, playing, moving and listening), children learn the basics of dynamics, tone colour, rhythm, melody, harmony and form. Groups are formed by age.
Music playschool at daycare
We run music playschool and preparatory groups together with daycare centres in Espoo: Hösmärinpuisto, Luhtaniitty, Nupuri, Paapuuri, Tuomarila and Ymmersta, as well as Honey Monsters daycare centres and the Montessori children’s house. Lessons are part of the daycare day, alongside other early childhood education.
Preparatory studies
Preparatory studies are a bridge between early childhood music education and basic studies. They build on and strengthen what children have learned in music playschool. Lessons are taught in small groups of 2 to 3 students.
Music perception and composition.
In music perception studies (music theory), students learn to read and write music, understand how music is built and develop practical musicianship. At first, the main instrument teacher guides these studies using the skills chart. After that, they continue as group lessons.
Groups
- Basic level A · ages 9 to 11
- Basic level B · ages 12 to 14
- Basic level C · ages 15 and over
- Advanced studies · for students who have completed basic studies
- Entrance exam preparation · for students planning further studies in music
Composition and improvisation
Students are guided to create their own musical ideas and solutions. The first steps are taken in their own instrument lessons. After that, studies continue with a composition and improvisation teacher. Advanced studies cover, among other things, working with harmony and rhythm, voice leading, orchestration and notation.
More about music perception studies · More about composition and improvisation
Music perception group schedule (in Finnish)Orchestras, ensembles and choir.
Ainova children’s choir · String orchestras Arco, Legato and Pizzicato · Avonia Guitar Orchestra · Bands · Flute group · Cello ensemble · Folk music group · Westendin soittoniekat
Playing together is a natural part of studies from the very start. In orchestras, ensembles and bands, students learn to listen to each other and to understand rhythm, melody and harmony together.
See the schedule (in Finnish)Hobby Path.
Free music groups at schools. Avonia runs music groups at the following schools as part of the City of Espoo’s Hobby Path (Harrastuspolku, in Finnish):
- Kirkkojärvi School · Guitar club
- Kirsti School · Choir
- Päivänkehrä School · Band workshop
- Tiistilä School · Band workshop
- Tuomarila School · Band workshop
Feedback is meant to encourage and motivate. Students receive feedback every week throughout their studies.
Skills chart (taitotaulu)
A chart listing everything included in music institute studies. Students and parents can see the goals and how the student is progressing. The chart is shared between the student, parents, teacher and office.
Skills folder (taitokansio)
A personal, private folder of recordings from concerts and practice. With these recordings, students can assess their own playing and see how they develop over time.
What is assessed
- Learning to learn and practising
- Listening and understanding music
- Composing and improvising
- Performing and expressing
Individual study plans
Studies can be tailored individually based on the Skills Charts. The student, parents and teacher plan a personal study plan together.
Performing is a skill you practise.
Students start performing regularly in their first year. The goal is that performing becomes an enjoyable, positive experience for both the student and the audience.
Sali Soi and Aula Soi
Relaxed concerts where students perform and play together. The teacher in charge gives feedback and joins in when needed. You can play a piece you’ve practised, improvise or join in playing together, on your own or with your teacher.
Projects
Playing together, concerts, masterclasses and composition workshops. Students also get opportunities to take part in competitions and festivals. Performances are recorded for Avonia’s YouTube channel and for students’ skills folders.
Adult students
We teach adults in our open department. Studies are planned individually around each student’s starting point and wishes, following the goals of the national core curriculum.
What it’s all based on.
Learning happens best through social interaction and positive experiences.
Our curriculum is based on the Finnish National Agency for Education’s national core curriculum for basic education in the arts, advanced syllabus in music (2017). The main tools guiding studies are the instrument-specific skills charts and the skills folder.
Studies consist of individual and group lessons and practising at home. Each week, students have a lesson on their main instrument or voice lasting 30, 45 or 60 minutes. The main instrument teacher also acts as the student’s study advisor.
Start your music studies.
Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You can contact us in English.