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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🎻🗣️ Calling all young cellists! APPLY until SEP 5 for a masterclass with @albancello as part of our upcoming LEAD! Lab in Stockholm 🇸🇪 - application link in bio & story - On September 26 & 27, you get to work with Alban directly, perfor
New Lab for cellists! WHEN: 26-27th September, 2025 WHERE: STOCKHOLM, Konserthuset, Hötorget Masterclasses for cellists with Alban Gerhardt ⭐️individual masterclass with Alban Gerhardt ⭐️Unique opportunity to perform masterclass repertoire
NEW LAB FOR CONDUCTORS! WHEN: 24-26th September 2025 WHERE: STOCKHOLM, Konserthuset, Hötorget ⭐️ Wednesday 24th September @ 10-13: Follow the general rehearsal of the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra ⭐️ Thursday 25th September @11:00: Privat
The final concert of the festival opens with a quirky and bold piece Grin by British composer Robin Haigh. This is followed by Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, one of the cornerstones of the Romantic violin repertoire. Our wonderfu
🎻 Meet our dedicated Junior Mentors at Fiskars Summer Festival! Claudio Laureti, Principal Viola of Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana in Palermo, and Oleh Kurochkin, Principal Second Violin of the Berlin Radio Symphony, return to share their passion an

COMING UP

  • NEW COLLABORATION WITH VILLARS MUSIC ACADEMY

    We are proud to partner with Villars Music Academy, united by our mission to empower the next generation of musical leaders.

    Founded by violinist Aline Champion, the Villars Music Academy is an exclusive summer program in the Swiss Alps for selected young musicians. It offers personalised artistic guidance, combining top-level training with mentorship and personal development in an inspiring setting.

    The faculty features renowned soloists—including Kolja Blacher, Rainer Honeck, Nils Mönkemeyer, and Gary Hoffman—as well as Berlin Philharmonic members. Students enjoy daily masterclasses, chamber music, coaching and discussions.

    We are looking forward to our future collaboration!

  • NEXT LAB COMING UP!

    Stockholm, Sweden

    LEAD! Labs are returning, now for conductors and cellists!

    We are thrilled to announce two upcoming LEAD! workshops in Stockholm this September. Both workshops will take place at Konserthuset, Hötorget.

    From September 24–26, conductors will have the opportunity to work closely with Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Sarah Osa, and David Skudlik, focusing on Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony. The workshop will explore performing traditions and Saraste’s personal insights into the piece.

    Then, from September 26–27, a new LEAD! Lab for cellists will take place, featuring Alban Gerhardt, alongside Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Sarah Osa. Each participant will receive an individual session with Gerhardt, attend seminars and have the opportunity to perform for Saraste and the LEAD! mentors.

    Learn more & apply here!

  • LEAD! and INSO-Lviv Reunite for Fiskars Summer Festival 2025

    28 July - 2 August 2025

    The LEAD! Foundation is proud to continue its collaboration with INSO-Lviv, one of Ukraine’s premier orchestras, at the Fiskars Summer Festival 2025.

    Now in its third year, this partnership reflects our long-term commitment to supporting and engaging with Ukraine’s inspiring community of musicians.

    We are deeply grateful to all those whose generous support makes this ongoing exchange possible.