Application Guidelines

Mirjam Helin Academy – Application Guidelines

Application Schedule

• Applications open on 20^th January 2025 at 9:00 AM (Finnish time, UTC +2).
• Applications close on 21^st February 2025 at 4:00 PM (Finnish time, UTC +2).
• Invitations to the live audition will be sent via email by 14^th March 2025.
• Live auditions will be held in Helsinki between 4–6^th April 2025. A pianist will be provided by the Mirjam Helin Academy. Applicants may also bring their own pianist. Applicants’ travel expenses will be reimbursed up to a value of 300 euros.
• Selection results will be announced on 15^th April 2025.
• The course will commence in August 2025 and end on 31^st May 2027.

Who can apply

• All Finnish singers or singers residing in Finland are welcome to apply.
• No specific previous degrees are required.
• There is no age limit. You may be at the beginning of your studies or already have completed other vocal studies.
• You may apply if you are seeking further training towards a singing career and will be aiming for job and career opportunities abroad either now or in the future.

What We Expect from Applicants

• Strong motivation and a goal-oriented study approach.
• Excellent singing voice and musicality.

What We Offer Selected Applicants

• Networking opportunities.
• Mentorship.
• High-level international teaching.
• An individualised study plan.
• A full curriculum of teaching at the Mirjam Helin Academy, accommodation, travel, and help with the realisation of your own concert project.

• Teaching languages: Finnish and English. Teaching will primarily take place through extended weekend courses and summer camps. There will be 5–8 such periods per year. For the autumn semester 2025, the teaching periods will be as follows: 14–17^th August and 12–16^th November 2025. All other dates will be confirmed during the spring of 2025.

Who is the Mirjam Helin Academy for?

• Singing students with an excellent work ethic and whose goal is a singing career at the highest levels of the international profession.
• Students who have achieved either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in music and who seek additional coaching on aspects of the music business, career planning, repertoire construction, and international networking.

Application Instructions

Phase One

The initial application must contain the following elements, which should be submitted as attachments to the electronic application.

The application deadline is 21^st February 2025 at 4:00 PM (Finnish time, UTC +2). Please note that all attachments must be submitted via the electronic form before the application deadline.

• A video of the applicant performing two songs in different styles and languages, accompanied by piano or another instrument.
• A video of your own motivational speech, given in English. In this video, please answer the following questions:
  • What do you want to learn at the Mirjam Helin Academy?
  • What is your professional dream?
  • What else would you like to share about your motivation?
• A short CV, up to 2000 characters. The CV should include the following:
  • Previous musical studies.
  • Other studies.
  • Most significant performance or achievement in the music field.
• Possible recommendations:
  • Recommendations may come from singing teachers or other music professionals.

Phase Two

After applications for the first phase have closed, some applicants will be selected for the second phase, which will take place in person in Helsinki between 4–6^th June 2025. Applicants should prepare two songs with piano accompaniment in different styles and languages. Applicants will also be interviewed in both Finnish and English. In addition, some of the applicants will be invited to a workshop to assess their aptitude and cooperation skills.