Academic year 2025-26
August 18th 2025 – May 23rd 2026
Application period
Application for the academic year 2025-26 opens February 1st
One Year Dance Programme
Our one year dance program is designed for dedicated dancers, who are either preparing to apply to a degree program in dance or are still unsure about their future career path. Whether you are specialized in one dance style or are an all-rounder, we offer you a diverse course program that enables you to develop and expand your skills in a fruitful learning environment, supported and guided by a team of enthusiastic and creative teachers.
Apart from shaping your own unique style, you will learn about the different stages, approaches and methods used by choreographers as well as dancers through the creation of productions. In addition, you will explore dance pedagogy both from the teacher’s and the student’s perspective. Regarding style, the training focuses on street dance and modern dance.
Use this opportunity to prepare yourself for auditioning or just spend a gap year dancing. Here you can try out new things, immerse yourself in dance, learn to succeed and fail in a safe environment in the heart of Porvoo.
Teaching
The studies in the dance program consist of technical training, production studies focusing on the work of dancers and choreographers, as well as pedagogical studies, offering insights into the role of a dance teacher. The main focus of the teaching is on contemporary dance and street dance styles.
Teaching Modules
The program is structured around the following teaching modules:
Technical Training
- Development of movement techniques in various dance styles.
- Focus on body awareness, strength, and flexibility.
Production Studies
- Exploration of the dancer’s and choreographer’s roles.
- Creating and performing dance productions.
Pedagogical Studies
- Introduction to teaching methods for dance educators.
- Practical experience in leading dance classes.
Specialization in Dance Styles
- Emphasis on contemporary dance and street dance genres.
Performance and Creativity
- Opportunities to perform in public events and festivals.
- Encouragement of personal artistic expression.
Technical Training
Technical exercises form a significant part of the studies. For students seeking additional practice, extra classes can be arranged through the Art Factory Dance School at a highly affordable price, tailored to individual motivation and ambitions. Contemporary dance, hip-hop, and breakdance are offered weekly, while the availability of other dance styles varies from week to week.
Some contemporary dance classes include diverse content, such as expression exercises, improvisation, composition, pedagogy, and production. In hip-hop and breakdance, students also explore aspects such as the culture of the styles, practical arrangements for competitions, and developing their unique style and expression in movement.
Guest Teacher Focus
One day a week is often dedicated to guest teachers. They introduce additional styles within street dance, such as locking, popping, and house, as well as repertoire within artistic dance genres.
Dance styles like show dance, commercial dance, jazz dance, lyrical jazz, and ballet are explored in specific periods. Similarly, certain aspects of production and teaching studies are advanced during these sessions
Yearly Progression
Throughout the year, technical skills are refined, various areas are explored, and the expressive qualities of movement are strengthened. Students are also encouraged to develop their own unique style.
Production Studies
In the production studies, students dance under the guidance of various choreographers, explore different approaches to creating choreography, and develop their own choreographic works. They also familiarize themselves with supporting roles within a dance production.
Through working with different choreographers, performing, and engaging in expression exercises, students enhance their ability to convey nuanced emotions and continually grow in their own dance practice.
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is explored from various perspectives, both in the role of the student and the teacher. Mentor teachers guide and support students, sparking an interest in pedagogy and potential further studies in the field.
The teachers’ goal is to nurture the student’s enthusiasm, curiosity, courage, and creativity, while providing support and challenges tailored to each individual student.
Study Load
The main studies consist of approximately 25 × 45-minute sessions per week.
In addition, students have the opportunity to complement their studies with evening classes at the Art Factory Dance School for €150 per semester (autumn + spring = €300). The dance school’s teachers assist in selecting extra hours that align with the student’s goals. For €150, it is possible to take more than one hour per week.
The schedule for 2025-2026 will be published in the spring: https://www.taidetehtaantanssikoulu.fi/lukuj
(Please note that the Art Factory Dance School’s student performances, intensive courses, and choreo-groups are not part of the elective courses.)
We reserve the right to make changes to the content and offerings of our courses and educational programs.
Contact and further information
Programme Director:
Hanne Kauppinen | Phone +358 (0)40 183 0993 | hanne.kauppinen@akan.fi
Place:
Taidetehdas / Läntinen Alexanterinkatu 1B in the centre of Borgå.
Borgå folkakademi / Runebergsgatan 16-18 in the centre of Borgå.
Language of instruction:
The education is bilingual and is suitable for both Swedish- and Finnish-speakers.
Study fees:
450 €/month including teaching, lunch and coffee.
(The fees apply to the academic year 2025-26)
Accommodation:
If you need accommodation you can board in the school’s dormitory connected to the school.
Cost 200 €/month in a shared double room or 260 €/month for a single room, including breakfast Monday-Friday and supper Monday-Thursday.
Further information about accommodation and costs can be found here.
Application periods and entrance exam
All applicants are invited to an admission event.
It is also possible to be admitted based on a dance certificate, video, or phone interview if you are unable to attend the admission event.
First application period: February 1 – June 1, with the first admission event held in June.
Second application period: June 9 – August 3, with the second admission event held in early August.
You can also submit a video application to receive a faster decision!
We withhold the right to change the contents and offers in our courses and educational programmes.
Feedback about the dance program by student Päivi from Finland:
” I told my friend a story about how I decided for Akan.
I thought about life’s dreams and goals and one was that I wanted to develop myself as a dancer. I did a Google search for “dancer education”.
Without further analysis, “good vibes” were transmitted from Akan’s pages and my interest arose. I emailed Hanne and asked more about the studies. The answer came quickly and the good feeling of “tone of voice” continued. Soon I started communicating with Niklas as well and the same feeling continued. Communication was uncomplicated and smooth at all times.
I got a really welcome feeling, and was so inspired that I suddenly took and left my well-established life in Oulu.
At least on my type of personality, Akan’s marketing and communication bit. The words that I will think spontaneously are “good feeling, welcome”.
This has also been realized in practice. The school is really of high quality in terms of teaching and the atmosphere is friendly. Our group is wonderful, everyone is watched and everyone is included.
You have done a good job. The best year of my life ever.
Thanks for this 😀 “
