MuRIKKA folk music and dance courses 27-30 Dec 2025

The Teisko atmosphere has to be experienced in person!

Join a cheerful crowd and find new energy for your hobby at the folk music and dance courses organised by Suomen Kansanmusiikkiliitto on 27-30 Dec at the Murikanranta conference hotel in Teisko, Tampere! The spa relaxes on-site course participants after a sweaty course day, and the evening gatherings invite you to jam, play and dance with old and new friends. This holiday camp suits the whole family!

The camp starts on Saturday 27 Dec with registration from 9:30, lunch at 11:00 and the opening of the course at 12:00, continuing with teaching in small groups. The camp ends on Tuesday 30 Dec with lunch starting at 11:00. Don't miss the camp concert on the last evening, 29 Dec at 19:00 — the public is welcome too!

Fill in the course feedback form here!

The 2025 course menu, here you are:

Orivesi All Stars course, teachers Antti Järvelä and Kristian Heberg
Join the ranks of the swinging Orivesi All Stars ensemble with any instrument! The course is also possible remotely.

Ukulele for beginners, teacher Outi Koivuniemi
The ukulele, the hit instrument of recent years, is easy to pick up in one sitting! Its bright sound charms and brings a smile to player and listener alike. On this course you learn the most common ukulele chords and how to accompany your own singing on the ukulele. After just a few minutes of study we get to sing and play together! We also learn to play easy melodies from tablature. On the last course day we already play like a real ukulele orchestra! The course
suits beginners and those who have played a little. No prior skills are needed. The teacher has a few loaner instruments.

Folk musician course for mandolin, teacher Jarmo Romppanen
The teaching is structured so that the different areas of playing are covered; in the morning there is ensemble playing for everyone (incl. Heikki Lahti's repertoire), after lunch we go through accompaniment and comping as well as playing technique and styles, and in the afternoon we continue with ensemble playing; practising new tunes, arrangements and performance pieces (with the themes "Mandolin composers and arrangers from around Finland – part 3" and "Anders Juurela's repertoire, continued"). The sheet music for the tunes, partly also recordings and a playlist, is sent to participants in advance at the end of November. The backbone of Heikki Lahti's sheet music is the 2017 playlist, from the year Heikki led the course for the last time. Remote participation is possible, but in that case it would be good to state which of the day's themes interest you. For more about the content, ask Jarmo, tel. 050 5853847

Fiddle course, teacher Emilia Lajunen
On this fiddle course we play the hit tunes of fiddle folk musicians, focusing on danceability, variation, bowings and improvisation. The course includes exploring traditional fiddle playing in a group, learning various fiddle tunes by ear, getting to know practical dance playing, and independent exercises practised during the course. String players other than fiddlers are also welcome. In that case, contact the teacher in advance at elajunen@gmail.com.

Two-row accordion course 1, teacher Miia Palomäki
On this course you learn folk tunes suited to players at the start of their two-row accordion hobby. The course gives
you the skills to find an ergonomic playing position and develop your playing technique. Taking part requires basic command of the instrument (e.g. a repertoire of a few easy tunes). The teaching method is learning by ear, with sheet music as well. Reading music is not a requirement for taking part!

Two-row accordion course 2, teacher Leija Lautamaja
On this course you learn enjoyable Finnish and foreign folk tunes, explore different playing styles and the grooves of dance playing, and discover the versatile expressive power of small-row accordions. Good basic command of the instrument is required. The teaching method is learning by ear, with sheet music also available for those who want it.

Quiet instruments and song, teacher Maija Karhinen-Ilo
Do you play the kantele or the jouhikko? Or perhaps the ukulele or the mandolin? Do you like playing the guitar softly and gently? Then come to a course where singing is accompanied subtly with ringing or rasping instruments. You can be a complete beginner or further along on your instrument — there is a suitable role for everyone in the group. You can also join without an instrument, as the repertoire consists of different kinds of folk songs and wordless singing. The days also include shared singing practice and light movement for everyone. A warm welcome!

Composition and arrangement course, Timo Alakotila
On this very popular course, participants' own compositions, new or old, are worked through. You can also bring traditional tunes with you. The aim is to cover at least one piece per participant. Materials must be sent to the course in advance. The peer support from course mates is a great bonus as the pieces are played and developed together. Bring your own instrument too. If time allows, arrangement and composition topics are covered in lecture form under the guidance of a top teacher. NB: The course is full! You can sign up for the waiting list.

Nyckelharpa course, teacher Saana Kujala
On the nyckelharpa course you learn Finnish and Nordic folk musician repertoire. The course covers the instrument itself, its sound, and the features and techniques typical of the nyckelharpa — without forgetting danceability. The course is well suited to those who have already played the nyckelharpa somewhat. It is, however, also possible to take part without nyckelharpa experience if you have experience of some other bowed instrument. If you do not own an instrument and need to rent one, contact the course teacher at saana.kujala@gmail.com.

Folk dance course

On the dance course we enjoy meeting people and dancing together!

The Murikka folk dance course deepens partner-connection skills within the framework of traditional couple dance, and we enjoy the communal side of dancing through the dances of the Pispalan Sottiisi 2026 joint programme. The dances bring together traditional and new layers of folk dance. Dancers also get to explore the interpretation of music and musicianship realised in movement. As in previous years, good care is taken of the bodies. The dance course is led by dance teacher (MA) and musician Maiju Laurila and dance artist (MFA) Petri Kauppinen.

You get the member price if you belong to a folk dance organisation or Suomen Kansanmusiikkiliitto. Sign up now and invite your friends along! On-site course only.

Course prices: Members 400€ / non-members 425€
The course price includes teaching and full board in a twin room. Accommodation is in twin rooms; single rooms cannot be promised in advance. (You can, however, request a single room when registering. We will try to fulfil the request closer to the event if rooms are available.) Supplement for a single room: 110€ for the whole stay.

If you do not stay overnight, teaching alone costs 185 € for members / 210 € for non-members.

Day visitors can buy meals of their choice from the venue at these prices: breakfast 10€, soup lunch 13.50€, afternoon coffee 9€, dinner 14.50€.

Remote course prices: Members 125€ / non-members 155€
Remote courses are not recorded. Materials are in shared folders.

Sign up for the courses by 6 Dec 2025 via the form linked below.

Early start for the course: You can arrive at Murikka as early as Boxing Day, for 50€ incl. accommodation + breakfast.

As a ride to the course, we offer the Murikka Express, a pleasant self-paid return coach service. Route:
Helsinki-Hyvinkää-Hämeenlinna-Tampere-Murikka. State your need in the registration form. The coach timetable, which may shift due to e.g. weather conditions, so changes are possible:

27 Dec 2025, outbound from Helsinki
7:45 Helsinki Mikonkatu, Casino Helsinki stop
8:15 Neste K Keimola
8:40 Hyvinkää junction, park-and-ride
9:05 Hämeenlinna, Neste Express Hämeensaari
10:10 Tampere railway station
11:15 Murikka

30 Dec 2025, return from Teisko to Helsinki
12:00 boarding
12:15 departure from Murikka
13:00 Tampere
14:15 Hämeenlinna Goodman
15:15 Keimola
15:45 Helsinki railway station

The coach ride is invoiced separately.

The Murikka courses are organised by Suomen Kansanmusiikkiliitto in cooperation with the Murikanranta conference hotel and Kansalaisfoorumi, which supports the course.

More information:
Jaana Kari
Executive Director
+358 44 776 7182
toiminnanjohtaja@kansanmusiikkiliitto.fi