Northwest Helsinki Music Institute (Luoteis-Helsingin Musiikkiopisto or LUHMO) contains both a music playschool and a music institute. We offer joyful instruction in music to nearly 500 students. Our location next to the Pohjois-Haaga train station means that it is easily possible to travel to your music lessons or playschool classes, even from further distances. LUHMO offers instruction on violin, viola, cello, flute, recorder, clarinet, trumpet, kantele, piano, guitar and ukulele, as well as pop-vocal lessons. You can learn more about the instruments here. LUHMO also offers music play school, instrumental carousel, and instrumental preparatory classes for different age groups.
It is possible to apply for instrumental or vocal studies at any time during the 2025-2026 school year. We will process the applications if and when student places become available for the chosen instrument.
Registration for Music playschool, Instrumental Carousel or Instrumental preparatory classes will be confirmed separately. You’ll receive a confirmation email from toimisto@luhmo.fi.
Music playschool – familiarly known as ‘muskari’ is early music education meant for children from 3mo to 8yrs old. Music playschool is also a great way for guardians to experience the joy of making music with their children.
You can find more information about Music playschool here.
Classes for Parents and Children:
It’s possible to begin Music Playschool from as young as 3 months in family groups. These groups are meant for children from 3 mo to 3 years of age, together with their parents. Groups are made up of children born in the same year, and they meet once a week for 30–45 minutes. Each class progresses in an age-appropriate manner.
3mo–11 mo: 45 min. together with parent or guardian
1 and 2 yr old groups: 45 min. together with parent or guardian
Children without Parents
3-,4-, and 5 yr old children: 45 min. without parents
Kantelemuskari (5–6 yrs)
In these groups, the children become acquainted with the kantele. Kantele is a very nice first instrument for children.
Children who will be 5–6 yrs old can apply for these groups.
Art muskari (4–5 yrs) / Art + kantele muskari (5–7 yrs)
Visual art muskari combines a multi-faceted approach to music through singing, movement and rhythm and the basics of visual art methods. Different art medium from drawing to painting and collage are used in the classes. The aim is to combine themes in visual art to music.
In Art + Kantele classes, the children play 5 string kanteles in addition to the above.
Vocal muskari (5–8 yrs)
In vocal muskari, children are encouraged to discover the joy of singing together while learning the basics of good vocal technique. Children are encouraged and supported in using their own voice.
Piano muskari (5–6 yrs)
Children become acquainted with the piano in a playful approach together with other aspects of muskari play. Children will sing, move, use rhythm, and play rhythm instruments as well as learn basic finger technique and rhythm on the piano. The piano is integrated into the classes without any large goals for learning piano technique at this stage.
Ukulele muskari (6–8yrs)
Children become acquainted with an instrument that easily fits in their hands. Ukelele is a fun, versatile instrument that can be used to accompany the child’s own singing. Along with the familiar muskari way of working, children will learn simple chord progressions, and play and perform together in groups.
Instrumental Carousel is a fun way to become acquainted with several different instruments as well as their teachers. Many have found their own favorite instrument through these classes!
The students will receive instruction on 4 instruments throughout the year. The instruments included in this rotation may change from year to year. The Instrumental Carousel classes are meant for children from 6–8 yr old (The classes are meant for students who will have their 6th birthday during the fall semester, or older. Younger students can participate in the Music Playschool classes.)
Preparatory instrumental classes are small group classes where groups of 2–4 students are introduced to the basics of playing an instrument. During the lessons, students will become acquainted with the instrument and reading music, as well as improvisation. Students playing harmony instruments will also practice accompanying.
Playing together is an important part of these classes, and the instruction will be built around that. Students usually participate in these classes for one year.
Students in the basic level of the Music Institute have individual lessons on their instrument, or vocal lessons every week. In addition, students participate in ensemble classes, and group lessons in Musical understanding. A student usually progresses through the basic levels in 5–9 yrs. After completion, the student can continue their studies at the Institute in the advanced studies level.
You can see more about the instruments available for study here. The music institute does have some instruments available for rent during the first years of study. The availability of these rental instruments changes from year to year.
Link to prices (only in Finnish)
Link to the curriculum (both in English and Finnish)
Information: toimisto@luhmo.fi
Kuparitie 1
00440 Helsinki
Iltaisäntä paikalla
ma-pe klo 14-20
Iltaisäntä:
050 599 1313
vahtimestari@luhmo.fi
Opintokoordinaattori:
toimisto@luhmo.fi
Kuparitie 1
00440 Helsinki
Iltaisäntä paikalla
ma-pe klo 14-20
Iltaisäntä:
050 599 1313
vahtimestari@luhmo.fi
Opintosihteeri:
toimisto@luhmo.fi