Nestled in a Finnish forest, flanked by a picturesque river and perched on a hill of rolling gardens, sits Länsi-Suomen Opisto, West Finland College. Throughout the year West Finland College educates hundreds of students along various educational lines. The strategy of West Finland College is to emphasize the significance of education, culture, active citizenship and lifelong learning for personal fulfillment. These aims are supported by up-to-date educational content, development projects and the help of professionals in the area of adult education. Faculties include the English Language department, a pre-medical school, Drama department and Finnish language studies amongst others, and now we are proudly launching the L.S.O. Performing Arts Academy.

The facilities at the College are unique in the sense that students live on campus and enjoy the scenic nature in which the College is situated. Facilities include a theatre, fully equipped lecture halls, a gymnasium, saunas, out-door activities, a canteen with three home cooked meals a day and evening entertainment activities.

The teaching staff are highly qualified professionals in their fields from all over the world, notably Ireland, Wales, South Africa, Spain, Russia, the USA and Finland.

1. English studies

2. Singing / voice techniques

3. Dance

4. Performance skills

5. Shows

The English language content will be applied English, specifically relating to the performing arts. We also focus on correct pronunciation and conversational English as basis for the language section of the course  The approach is the same when working with text: going through vocabulary, explaining the grammar phenomena, set expressions etc. The discussion topics chosen for the course are linked to themes: travelling, relationships, family, politics etc. The topics are developed through conversation and exercises. " The Voice Clinic",  a singing and speech course developed by Evan Schoombie, will include:

- Breathing as a foundation for song and speech

- Relaxation techniques

- Vocal exercises

- Choral music

- Repertoire

- Performance

Dance lessons are presented by a Finnish teacher and concludes with a production - and dance shows. We would like to create as many performing possibilities for our course participants as possible. The local town has a number of venues where shows can be staged. Dance classes and exercises involve weight exchange, floor work, balances, partnering, core work, stretching and conditioning. Students are prepared to work with their own choreography.

Content: Different dance techniques in the field of

- Contemporary, jazz dance and partnering

- Improvisation

- Choreography

- Body balance: Stretching and Pilates

- Public speaking techniques

- Voice projection / Speech

- Microphone techniques

- Vocal hygiene

- Dress and make-up

The students will be expected to perform a self written production at the end of the course. They will also be given the opportunity to perform to secular audiences during the week and at the weekends in various public cabaret and club venues in the town. As mentioned above, students will be given the opportunity to reach out to the community and perform in retirement homes and other public venues.

After classes the students will have a rehearsal class of one hour from Monday to Friday.

For the 3 week course, application deadline: 16 December 2011 For the 3 month course, application deadline: 15 July 2012

Cost for 3 weeks: A total of  €500/550 (Euro) (depending on the accommodation) Cost for 3 months: €700/750 (Euro) per month (depending on the accommodation)

The course fee includes:

- Teaching: 30 academic hours per week

- Accommodation: 7 days a week in a 2-bed room.

Check the accommodation by following this link: http://www.lansisuomenopisto.fi/k-majoitus.html

- Full board from Monday to Friday: Breakfast, lunch coffee, dinner.

Please note that there are no meals provided on Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday. The dormitories are equipped with kitchens to prepare own meals at the weekends.

- Access to all the school's facilities (sauna, gymnasium, billiard room, bicycles etc.)

Registrations can be made electronically from the West Finland college web site (click to register).

You can also request assistance from the institute by writing or calling  +358 2 560 7754

E-mail: laetitia.malinen@lansisuomenopisto.fi  or   evan.schoombie@lansisuomenopisto.fi

cambiare la lingua

Heading up the Performing Arts Academy is award winning South African born singer and artist Evan Schoombie who has designed the course called "The Voice Clinic". The main aim of the course is to offer performing possibilities to the students and the course will culminate in a production written and performed by the participants. The students will be presented with a certificate of merit, given by this nationally recognized academic institution.

We have designed a course that specializes in Music, Dance and Production whilst learning English in a creative, fun and professional environment. There are two courses to choose from: 3 WEEKS - 16 January to 4 February 2012 or 3 MONTHS - 24 September to 14 December 2012

The basic difference is that the 3 week course will be a compact intensive course that will serve as an introduction to the theatre and performing arts disciplines, with writing and performing a musical within a specific deadline. The longer course will be more in-depth and the aim would be to strengthen repertoire on an individual and group basis. We will also write and perform 4 productions.

Applicants are expected to have a basic knowledge of spoken English.

No previous dance or singing experience is needed, but it is essential for candidates to have a natural talent for either singing or dancing.

There is a great emphasis on the performing arts at the moment and students have very few opportunities to study in an English environment and to prepare for admittance to a university course in this field. This course provides tuition in English and affords personal coaching and specialized training in all the basic disciplines of the performing arts. The Academy offers full board and lodging on campus and provides a safe environment to discover and hone talent and skill. It is one of the very few courses of its nature presented in Finland and serves as a stepping stone to becoming part of the performing arts industry through a network of connections and contacts due to the international nature of the college. Students enroll for courses at Länsi-Suomen Opisto from all over the world.

This course is designed for people who are interested in the performing arts as a hobby or a career and can serve as excellent preparation for a full time study in this field. Trained singers and dancers are also encouraged to enroll to sharpen their skills and would benefit greatly from masters classes presented in the various disciplines.