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.

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A gentle reminder that tickets for Fiskars Easter Sessions 2026 are on sale! 🎻 The festival brings together distinguished international musicians and young rising talents of the Finnish String Academy for a series of concerts held in Fiskars and Po
A central part of LEAD! and the Fiskars Summer Festival is supporting young artists in developing essential professional skills. These include leadership, networking, negotiation, strategic career planning and artistic development. All participants,
Calling all young conductors! đź“Ł We are accepting applications for Fiskars Summer Festival 2026 Conductor's masterclass! What's included: Conductor's Masterclass with Jukka-Pekka Saraste and guests Feedback sessions with mentors Music industry work
Calling all young woodwind and string players! 🎻 We are accepting applications for Fiskars Summer Festival 2026 Young instrumentalists programme. The programme will take place during the Fiskars Summer Festival from July 24th to Aug 2nd 2026. What
Tickets for ALL Easter Sessions 2026 concerts are now on sale! This traditional festival will be organised together with the prestigious String Academy and their talented students. Combining chamber music and orchestral concerts, the festival progra
The application period for Fiskars Summer Festival 2026 is open! ✨ We are accepting application for Young instrumentalists programme and Conductors' masterclass! The application deadline for both programmes is February 13th. Don't miss it! Apply no

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.

    Book now!

    The final concert of Fiskars Summer Festival 2026 will also be repeated in Turku as the opening concert of Turku Music Festival 2.8.2026!

    More information

  • 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!

    Book now!

  • APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR CONDUCTORS' MASTERCLASS AND YOUNG INSTRUMENTALISTS PROGRAMME 2026

    The application period is now open for both Conductors' masterclass and Young instrumentalists programme for Fiskars Summer Festival 2026!

    The instrumentalists programme will include coaching in orchestra playing and leading and chamber music coaching. We are accepting applications from woodwind and string players.

    We are proud to work with a group of well-established and experienced instrumental mentors:

    Niamh McKenna, Flute
    Christian Moré Coloma, Oboe
    Christoffer Sundqvist, Clarinet
    Mikko-Pekka Svala, Bassoon
    Sophie Heinrich, Violin
    Jan Söderblom, Violin
    Tero Latvala, Violin
    Alexander Gordon, Viola
    Tuomas Lehto, Cello
    Maria Krykov, Double Bass

    The conductors' masterclass will include podium time and guidance from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and invited guests. Both programmes will include music industry workshops, individual career guidance with great opportunities for networking.

    The application deadline for both programmes is FEBRUARY 13TH 2026!

    Apply now!