Pop & Jazz Conservatory mission and values
The Pop & Jazz Conservatory provides basic arts education and vocational education and training in the field of music, aimed at music lovers. We arrange also distance and online education that is open to everybody.
Our basic mission is to develop rhythm music skills from amateurs to professionals. The Pop & Jazz Conservatory offers motivated students the opportunity to develop their own expression in a creative atmosphere.
Activities of the Pop & Jazz Conservatory
In basic vocational education and training in the music sector, you study to become a musician or music technologist, and in the professional qualification in music production, you study music production or songwriting.
Students in hobby-oriented basic arts education find that music enriches their lives and supports their other aspirations. Our conservatory aims to support students’ enthusiasm and originality, and to provide them with the skills to work in groups, to embrace diversity and tolerance.
Pop & Jazz Open is the Conservatory’s own online store, which makes it possible for everyone to learn rhythm music – anywhere, anytime, whatever their level.
A trendsetter and network creator in the music industry
The Pop & Jazz Conservatoire actively collaborates across a range of sectors in line with its annual partnership strategy.
Our institution is a national developer and pioneer of rhythm music education. We also work in network cooperation with the Finnish Conservatoire Association and the Finnish Association of Music Schools.
We share some of our facilities, equipment and services with our close partner Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. We cooperate regularly with other educational institutions, companies and communities in the Arabianranta area.
The Pop & Jazz Conservatoire cooperates with several clubs, cultural houses, libraries, restaurants and programme agencies in Helsinki in the field of work-life cooperation for music students.
The Conservatoire organises nearly 200 free concerts and other performances every year and participates in events such as the Arabia Street Festival.
We actively cooperate with the Helsinki Department of Culture and Leisure, which also funds the basic education activities of our conservatory.
Pop & Jazz Conservatory values
Inclusion
The experience of inclusion is the feeling that I am relevant and have the right to be heard, respected and included in community processes. Inclusion promotes equality, pluralism and democracy, while creating a stronger and more cohesive institution.
Community spirit
Community spirit refers to the sense of belonging and interaction between people or groups, expressed in terms of cooperation, support and social networks that create a shared identity and a sense of ownership within the community. Community and inclusion also require empathy, the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes, to understand their feelings and perspectives, and to respond to those feelings with compassion. A strong sense of community can enable people to experience inclusion, as it provides forums for interaction, support and cooperation.
Learner-centredness
At the heart of learner-centred learning is the individual learner. This supports learners’ autonomy, self-regulation skills and ability to apply what they learn in different situations. Learning is a lifelong process and the aim is to create an environment in which each learner can achieve his or her potential in the best possible way. The learner-centred approach
takes into account learners’ individual needs, interests, learning styles and abilities, and teaching is designed to support each learner’s development and learning. Learners are actively engaged in their learning process, take responsibility for their own learning and are given opportunities for independent exploration, problem solving and critical thinking.
Sustainability
Sustainability means that individuals and communities take responsibility for their own decisions, choices and impacts on the world around them. This means making ecologically sustainable choices and supporting the well-being of community members. It also includes the desire to learn and develop as a more responsible subject in society and to consider one’s own actions from an ethical perspective. Sustainable, accountable learners take responsibility for their own learning and study, take care of their own motivation and enthusiasm, set themselves goals and learn to plan their practice and study. Learners make an effort to achieve their goals, assess their progress and identify their strengths and areas for development.
The relevance of music
We are united by our enthusiasm and interest in music, which is of enormous importance to people. Music has power and music gives a lot of joy. A good musical relationship and an exploration of the world of music fosters creativity and a sense of community and strengthens cognitive abilities and all aspects of learning. Belonging to a tradition and growing musical ambition support musical emotional expression, self-esteem and happiness.
Pop & Jazz Conservatory Foundation
The Pop & Jazz Conservatory is run by the Pop & Jazz Conservatory Foundation sr, whose Board of Directors has the highest decision-making power in the organisation.
The Board of the Foundation also acts as the governing board of the institution, at whose meetings a representative of the teaching staff and a representative of the vocational students also have the right to attend and speak. The Principle of the school acts as the rapporteur for the Board of Directors.
The Pop & Jazz Conservatory Foundation (originally the Oulunkylä Pop/Jazz Conservatory Foundation) was founded in 1991 by 18 companies and associations.
The Board of Trustees of the Foundation and the Board of Directors of the Conservatory 2025:
Chairperson:
Tuuli Paasilehto
Members:
Mika Niemelä (Vice Chair)
Matti Lappalainen
Elina Jolma
Noora Herranen
Harri Saukkomaa
With the right to be present and speak at Board meetings:
student Silja Muttonen
teacher Petteri Hietamäki