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.

Instagram

✨ We are thrilled to have such a brilliant young soloist as Johan Dalene working with LEAD! this Festival. Winner of the prestigious 2019 Carl Nielsen Violin Competition, Johan has a wonderfully engaging presence and a fabulous sound. Johan joins o
✨ We are happy to announce that the Fiskars Summer Festival 2025 programme and tickets are out now ✨ Programme & tickets: Tiketti.fi Link in bio.
We're very pleased to welcome some new faces as part of our Fiskars Summer Festival 2025 team! Mia Huhta joins us as Orchestra Manager, Mercedes Krapovickas as Production Manager, and Nicole Starker as Artistic Coordinator. We look forward to work
We are delighted to announce the continuation of our collaboration with the HPO @helsinkiphilharmonic, this time in the framework of the orchestra's production of Gustav Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony. During this project, we'll be focus
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:

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.

  • WELCOME TO THE 6TH EDITION OF THE FISKARS SUMMER FESTIVAL!

    28 July - 2 August 2025

    We are delighted to present our full programme exclusively in Fiskars Village this year. This includes our summer chamber music series, featuring our mentors and guest artists, who will perform alongside our talented young participants in a richly diverse set of programmes. Towards the end of the festival, concerts with the Fiskars Festival Orchestra will take place in Puimala, including performances by invited guest conductors and participants from this year's masterclass.

    Our chamber music concerts take place in a variety of locations around Fiskars throughout the week, such as Veitsitehdas and Lukaali, and we'll be opening our doors to a special "open house" showcasing our young talent - a concert free of charge to the public in Puimala.

    Our final concert, held in Puimala this year on 2 August 2025, will include Robin Haigh's award winning piece, "Grin", Bruch's violin concerto performed by acclaimed violinist Johan Dalene, and Sibelius' first symphony. The festival finale will be conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and one of our young conductors.

    BOOK NOW

  • 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