From autumn 2025, young flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon players can apply to the Woodwind Academy.
At the board meeting on 12 September 2025, the Woodwind Academy was accepted as a member of the Instrument Academies Association.
Students will be recruited from autumn 2025, with teaching set to begin in February 2026. Concerts with the other instrument academies will begin once teaching at the Woodwind Academy is fully established.
The academy will provide high-quality instrument training for young flautists, oboists, clarinettists and bassoonists. Our goal is to nurture a new generation of woodwind players from across Finland who will excel in professional orchestra auditions and major international music competitions.
Petri Alanko and Harri Mäki, who are also part of the teaching staff, will lead the Woodwind Academy.
"At the Woodwind Academy, our goal is to train Finnish woodwind players who can excel in the international orchestra and soloist scenes. It’s great to be part of the Instrument Academy community. I believe that woodwind players will bring new opportunities for collaboration too," says Petri Alanko.
The Woodwind Academy has been launched with support from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, which was granted in June 2025.
Auditions for new students will be held in Tampere and Helsinki – alternatively, you can apply by submitting a video
Admission to the Woodwind Academy is through audition. Auditions will take place in Tampere on 8 November and in Helsinki on 15 November 2025. Alternatively, you can submit a video recording of your audition remotely. Read more about the Woodwind Academy application instructions (in Finnish)
The Woodwind Academy's teaching programme is designed for students aged 12–20. It consists of five teaching periods per year, held in various locations across Finland. Each period includes individual lessons, group lessons, ensemble playing and, occasionally, student concerts. The teachers are among the best woodwind pedagogues in Finland.
Studying at the Woodwind Academy is free of charge. Students are required to attend all teaching periods.