Developing the Next Generation of Leaders in Classical Music

LEAD! Foundation’s mission is to support the emerging careers of the next generation of young conductors and aspiring orchestra principals. We take a holistic view, concentrating not only on the technical and musical aspects of the profession, but also on providing active mentoring and frank advice on the classical music industry. We are convinced that well-prepared and informed artists will be able to manage their careers with greater success, and navigate today’s competitive music world with more confidence, both on-stage and off.

The foundation is directed by leading Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste and provides teaching through the LEAD! Foundation Academy. Based in Finland and active internationally, we are also the founders of the Fiskars Summer Festival, the main platform for our annual conductors’ masterclass, which features renowned guest conductors invited from both Finland and abroad. We also run a mentorship programme for emerging conductors, orchestra leaders, and since 2023, for composers. Through the festival, we arrange career workshops, seminars and discussions on musical leadership and other industry-related topics, as well as chamber- and orchestral concerts. A sister event on a smaller scale, the Fiskars Easter Sessions, is arranged biannually.

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Thank you to everyone who took part in the Oslo Lab over the weekend 🌱 @tulehto led the masterclass for cellists, with Hans Schröck and Aaron Schröer participating. ✨️ Teo Hillberg, Maximilian Leicher and Roeland Henkens joined us for th
Today was the 4th day and conclusion of the very first Lead! Lab! 🌱 We've had an intense series of violin masterclasses with @violinsophieheinrich, and rich discussions on networking, communication and niche finding with Lead! mentors @davidskudli
Our first Lead! LAB, taking place in Munich, is underway! We have 7 violinists and 8 conductors taking part. 🌱🌱 We look forward to the Music industry workshops this afternoon and tomorrow, as well as @jpsaraste 's concert with the Munich Philharmo
NEXT LAB COMING UP! LAB FOR CELLISTS WHEN: 28-29th March, 2025 WHERE: OSLO, Den Norske Opera & Ballett Masterclasses for cellists with Tuomas Lehto, 1st Principal Cellist, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra ⭐️ 2 days of individual masterclasses
NEXT LAB COMING UP! LAB FOR CONDUCTORS WHEN: 28-29th March 2025 WHERE: OSLO, Den Norske Opera & Ballett ⭐️28th March @11:00: Private seminar and discussion for conductors with Jukka-Pekka Saraste: ⭐️ THEME: “Characters, Lines and Rubato:
Thank you to everyone who applied for a place at this year's Fiskars Summer Festival, as well as at the Munich Lab! We were overwhelmed to receive so many - more than ever! - responses and impressive applications. Violinists and violists - your app
Thank you @kulttuurirahasto for your generous support for Fiskars Summer Festival and the development of the LEAD! Mentorship Programme. #skr2025
Conductors & Violinists: join our first-ever LEAD! LABS in Munich, March 6-9, and work with our founders @sarah_osa1 & @jpsaraste as well as our mentors @violinsophieheinrich and @davidskudlik. All infos & application on our website, just
A CALL FOR: Artistic Planning Coordinator 15.3.2025-15.8.2025 LEAD! is looking for an Artistic Planning Coordinator to support the planning of the 6th Fiskars Summer Festival. The ideal candidate has a keen interest in both organisational managemen

COMING UP

  • LEADERSHIP PROJECT WITH HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA MAHLER'S SYMPHONY NO. 2

    19-23 May 2025

    We are delighted to announce the continuation of our collaboration with the HPO, this time in the framework of the orchestra's production of Gustav Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony.

    During this project, we'll be focusing on developing leadership skills  - in the context of the orchestra as well as outside it. We'll also be delving into a variety of music industry themes. 

    Due to the great number of applications for this year's Fiskars Summer Festival, we have selected participants from this pool of candidates, and will not be having an open call for new LEAD! musicians this time. 

    The week culminates with a concert on 23 May 2025 in Helsinki Music Centre, with the HPO, Helsinki Music Centre Choir and soloists conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

  • SAVE THE DATE! FISKARS SUMMER FESTIVAL

    25 July - 3 August 2025

    We will be running our LEAD! Foundation Academy masterclass and mentoring for young conductors, led by Jukka-Pekka Saraste and guest conductors, as well as our mentorship programmes for talented young instrumentalists, led by our mentors Sophie Heinrich, Tero Latvala, Jan Söderblom, Alexander Gordon, Tuomas Lehto and Niamh McKenna.

    Concerts take place in various venues around Fiskars, and the final concert will be held in Puimala on 2 August 2025.

  • LEAD! FOUNDATION LAUNCHES LEAD! LABS 2025

    28-29 March 2025, Oslo

    Introducing LEAD! Labs - a new series of workshops and masterclasses taking place in a city near you!

    These exclusive, in-person workshops and networking events are designed to provide essential entrepreneurial, technical, and collaborative skills for young artists, empowering them to make connections, shape their own careers and find their place in the industry. 

    Each Lab will focus on artistic and business-related topics, and will be run by members of the LEAD! Foundation team and invited guests.

    MORE INFORMATION