Developing the Next Generation of Leaders in Classical Music
The LEAD! Foundation, directed by leading Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, supports the next generation of emerging conductors, orchestra principals, and composers.
LEAD! Foundation was established by Sarah Osa, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Frances Maunder in 2017. It became a Finnish foundation in 2019. Its mission is holistic, providing not only technical and musical instruction through the LEAD! Labs, but also active mentoring and frank advice to help artists confidently navigate the competitive classical music industry.
Based in Finland and active internationally, it hosts the Fiskars Summer Festival - the platform for its annual conductors' masterclass, career workshops, and industry discussions - along with a mentorship programme and the biannual Fiskars Easter Sessions.
COMING UP
-
FISKARS SUMMER FESTIVAL 2026
A warm welcome to the 7th edition of the Fiskars Summer Festival!
Jukka-Pekka Saraste and guests lead the Fiskars Festival Orchestra in the final concert of the 7th Fiskars Summer Festival. They will present a programme of distinguished works spanning the Romantic and contemporary repertoire, offering notes of heroism, passion and love.
The concert opens with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, written to accompany Goethe’s tragedy of resistance and courage. With its emotional power and triumphant ending, it provides a dramatic introduction to the concert. Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill then joins the orchestra for Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder. Wagner’s love for Mathilde Wesendonck is immortalised in these passionate songs composed on poems by her, becoming one of the composer’s most often performed non-operatic pieces.
As a contemporary counterpoint to the evening’s Romantic masterpieces we will hear Outi Tarkiainen’s Ring of Love and Fire. This is a luminous and colourful work that meditates on creation, motherhood and the elemental forces of life. The concert concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, a composition regarded as one of his darkest and most noble symphonic creations. The rhythmically vibrant and exciting final movement brings the concert, and the festival, to an unforgettable close.
-
EASTER SESSIONS 2026
Fiskars & Porvoo
We are excited to announce the return of our Fiskars Easter Sessions in 2026! This traditional event will take place from the
6th to the 12th of April.
As in previous years, the festival will feature an exciting programme of chamber music concerts showcasing both established artists and rising stars. The week will culminate in a grand final concert with a large string orchestra, conducted by our artistic director Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
The festival is organised in close collaboration with the prestigious Finnish String Academy, bringing together exceptional young Finnish musicians. Thanks to this partnership, we will have two concerts taking place in the beautiful and historic city of Porvoo, offering audiences a unique musical experience in an unforgettable setting.
Tickets for the final concert in Fiskars are now available! -
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON?
Over the last few months, we’ve been putting our heads together to create new events, workshops, and opportunities for emerging artists, some of which will launch already in 2026. While we can’t reveal everything just yet, we’re thrilled to share a few highlights about what’s coming next.
Along with new LEAD! Labs taking place in Vienna, London and Bergen, we’ll also be unveiling additional programs and collaborations designed to support the next generation of artists. The LEAD! Labs will be expanding to new cities and continents, with wheels already in motion to bring our activities to North America, Canada and Asia.
The flag-ship event of our organisation, the Fiskars Summer Festival will return with a new selection of concerts and soloists, but with familiar mentors and our traditional masterclass for conductors. We’re also delighted to announce the return of our Easter Sessions, featuring a vibrant line-up of performances by outstanding emerging talent.
Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming months! Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to know when applications open and new events are revealed.