Violin Academy

Violin Academy: Complementary training for young talented violinists

The Savonlinna Music Academy is one of the leading organisers of international music courses. It is especially known for its chamber music, lied and opera master classes. Now the Music Academy is expanding its scope of tuition: it hosts the newly established Savonlinna Violin Academy that has been providing round the year ???? teaching for young talented violinists aged 9 to 18 since 2009.

The purpose of the training is to complement the players' basic studies. Each student's own violin teacher can also attend the tuition.

The Violin Academy's inspiring example has been the Kuhmo Violin School that functioned during 1987 – 1992. Kuhmo Violin School played a key role in significantly raising the level of Finnish violin art.

Violin Academy's teaching is provided by lecturer Janne Malmivaara (Sibelius Academy) and professor Elina Vähälä. Professor Ana Chumachenco from the Musikhochschule in Munich is the guest pedagogue. She has taught several top violinists at international level.

Application tests 2009

The application tests were held in Helsinki at the Sibelius Academy on April 24^th and May 4^th.

There were almost fifty applicants. Elina Vähälä, Janne Malmivaara and lecturer Teemu Kupiainen (Sibelius Academy) formed the jury.

Ten students were selected as actual students. In addition, six students aged six to ten were selected for a preparatory class.

Courses 2009

The courses have been held in Nummela on the premises of a recreational guest house Päivölä which has proved to be a practical course place. The superb host family makes sure that the guests feel comfortable in the surroundings where many Finnish cultural figures have rested before.

Ana Chumachenco was teaching on the first course with Elina Vähälä and Janne Malmivaara. Only the older students were taking part while their own violin teachers were observing the tuition.

The second course was held on December 10^th to 13^th. Professor Tuomas Haapanen was also teaching on the course. The students of the preparatory class, as well as their own teachers, took part on the course on the 12^th and 13^th of December.

Participation has been very excited and motivated. The students have had on average two lessons per day.

Naoko Ichihashi and Valeria Resjan were the course pianists.

Airi Koivukoski has been responsible of the organisation of the courses.

Courses 2010

The first course of the year was held in Päivölä on the 25^th to 28^th of March. Alongside Elina Vähälä and Janne Malmivaara, Ana Chumachenco was invited to give lessons. She will also teach on the October course.

The next course in 2010 will be held on the 18^th to 24^th of June, when also the students of the preparatory class will participate for three days. In addition to Elina and Janne, Ilja Grubert will be giving lessons. The autumn courses will take place in October and December.

The location of all courses is Päivölä.

Students of the Violin Academy

Silja Fontana -92, Klaus-Peter Haav -96, Adrian Ibanez-Resjan -97, Maria Innanen -96, Erkki Louko -94, Tami Pohjola -96, Hanna Ponkala -92, Pekko Pulakka -92, Abel Puustinen -96, Sisu Sieppala -99, Juho Valtonen -92

Preparatory Class

Aaro Grönvall -03, Eevi Hannonen -00, Milla Laurikkala -00, Lina Leikola -99, Jasmin Mönkkönen -99, Sonja Poe -00

The project is realised through funding from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Other partners alongside the Savonlinna Music Academy are the Leonora and Yrjö Paloheimo Foundation and the Sibelius Academy.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Airi Koivukoski

+358 440 741 345

airi.koivukoski@kymp.net