Soiva International Music Camp
Established by Finlandia Foundation National in 2008
Soiva means “sounding forth.” A joyful noise!
Finland has a strong reputation for, and appreciation of, culture and the arts, including music instruction, composition and performance.
Music has always been important to Finlandia Foundation; the organization’s first Patron was Jean Sibelius and the current Patron is Esa-Pekka Salonen.
FFN supports that musical tradition through Soiva International Music Camp, a summertime learning opportunity and cultural exchange for students from Finland and the United States.
Founded in 2008, Soiva was traditionally a camp for chamber music students in grades six through 12 who played piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet or saxophone, or were interested in improvisation or composition.
The camp was held each summer in Minnesota with the exception of 2016 and 2019 when it was held in Järvenpää, Finland, at Kallio- Kuninkala, which is affiliated with The Sibelius Academy Music Centre. Over the course of more than a decade, hundreds of young Finnish and American students met and made music under the direction of professional musicians and music instructors from both countries.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic derailed the long-standing Soiva Music Camp. Now, in 2024, Soiva has been relaunched with a new energy and direction but still dedicated to encouraging young people to enjoy, explore and make music together.
