Choir for Former Non-Singers 7/2027

Teacher

Aittakumpu Reijo

I am Reijo Aittakumpu, a music teacher and choirmaster from Helsinki. I have worked in teaching positions with learners of all ages and at all levels, from preschool to high school and adult education to the Sibelius Academy. However, my main job for 30 years has been in high schools, first at Kallio Upper Secondary School of Performing Arts, then at Sibelius Upper Secondary School. My great passion is vocal music: I have sung in choirs for decades and conducted many different types of choirs.

Throughout my career, I have been interested in studying the development of singing skills, especially for singers for whom staying in tune is not self-evident. Although my course name mentions inability to sing, I don't actually believe that anyone is truly unable to sing. For decades, I have specifically developed pedagogy for beginner singers and have seen in my work that singing can become a joyful part of life through teaching and practice, even if it previously seemed very difficult.