How does a student’s own dance piece come to be? What kind of theme does the student want to explore, and what does the student want to convey through dance? These questions will be explored in the fall workshops, as students working on their final projects for Hurja Piruetti’s extensive dance curriculum work under the guidance of teacher and academic advisor Ulla Koho. The fall workshops kicked off last Saturday with an information session and movement improvisation workshops.
In their final projects, students get to bring their own artistic ideas to life and draw on the dance skills they’ve developed over the years. The theme, movement language, and approach to the piece are all based on the student’s own interests. The final project process focuses specifically on developing the student’s own movement language and refining it further. Ulla works alongside the students throughout the various stages of the process, supporting them in developing their ideas, making artistic choices, and bringing their work to life.
Creating one’s own work requires time, experimentation, perseverance, and decision-making. The original idea may evolve along the way, and it is precisely during this process that students have the opportunity to reflect on what kind of dancer and artist they are.
Two Ways to Delve Deeper into Your Own Dance
At Hurja Piruetti, the extensive dance curriculum comprises 48.1 credits. The final project included in the program consists of an artistic and a written component, and it is also evaluated by an external dance professional.
Our students also have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma in dance as part of a long-term collaboration between Hurja Piruetti, Karjaa High School, Karis-Billnäs Gymnasium, and Ekenäs Gymnasium. The high school diploma includes a dance project, written documentation of the creative process, and a research paper.
Both opportunities to develop their own choreography offer young people the chance to delve deeper into their own dance practice and into the role of a choreographer. During the final project process, the students take responsibility for the various aspects and planning stages involved in the artistic work. In their works, they are free to explore themes that are personally meaningful to them.
The students’ own works on stage in November
The final project process has now begun, and over the coming months, these ideas will begin to take shape as dance pieces. What kinds of themes will the young people choose, and what kinds of works will emerge from them?
The completed final projects will be presented at Tryckeriteatteri on Friday, November 27, 2026. The audience can look forward to the young people’s own perspectives, diverse movement languages, and the skills they have developed over years of dance study.
What does sustainable development mean at Hurja?
Hurja Piruetti is taking part in Sustainable Development Week from 21 to 27 September. During the week, we will be sharing how sustainable development is reflected in the day-to-day running of our art college and the choices we make to promote it.
We have recently carried out a follow-up audit on sustainable development and drawn up a new development plan for the coming years. As part of this, we have reviewed our operating practices and set targets which our entire community is involved in achieving.
At Hurja Piruetti, sustainable development is evident in many ways. We aim to ensure that pupils from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue the arts; we ensure the long-term use of performance costumes and materials; and we encourage young people to plan and carry out their own projects. Sustainability is also evident in the way we interact with one another, collaborate and look after the wellbeing of our community.
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing examples of our day-to-day activities, the preparation of performances and the young people’s international work on environmental issues. We’ll also be sharing what our pupils themselves think about the environment and the future.
Our work on sustainable development continues together with the pupils, teachers and the whole Hurja family.
Follow our posts throughout the week and join us in developing our Hurja community!
The teachers at Hurja Piruetti have just completed an intensive and rewarding week of joint meetings in France and Italy as part of the Dance for Eco-Anxiety (D4EA) project, funded by the Creative Europe programme.
At the first joint meeting of the project, which began in the spring, we had the opportunity to get to know our partners and their work. Over the course of the week, we shared experiences, compared tried-and-tested working methods and began preparing a joint guide. The guide will bring together dance-based methods that young people can use to address their concerns about the environment and the future.
D4EA is a European collaboration project involving four countries: Ijshaamanka from Italy (co-ordinating the project), CADD from France, Interdansa from Spain and Hurja Piruetti from Finland. Together, we are developing and testing dance-based working methods with young people. The young people’s own experiences and thoughts are a central part of the project’s implementation.
Working face-to-face gave us the opportunity to get to know one another, deepen our joint planning and agree on the next steps. This provides a good foundation for moving on to the project’s workshops and European cooperation among young people.
The Dance for Eco-Anxiety (D4EA) project is co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. We would like to thank the National Board of Education for the national grant awarded to the project.
However, the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the grant provider can be held responsible for them.
A warm welcome to the new school year. Hurja Piruetti’s fall season is about to begin, and we’re looking forward to dancing, doing circus tricks, skating, and moving together again.
Please remember that registration is valid for the entire academic year—that is, for both the fall and spring semesters.
For dance and acrobatics in Ekenäs, the fall semester begins on August 10; the Billnäs circus and acrobatics groups start on August 17; and figure skating begins on August 25.
We wish everyone joy, success, and inspiring moments in the new academic year!
Whispers from the Castle takes the audience to Raseborg Castle and its stories through dance and circus arts. The performances are part of the Karis-Karjaa 700th anniversary celebrations. After the interval, there is an action-packed ‘Highlights’ segment.
Come and experience Hurja Piruetti’s spring performance!
Come and experience the magic of dance and circus!
- Tickets: €18
- Children under 6 free.
- Duration: 1.5 hours, including an interval.
Hurja Piruetti’s new spring production, Whispers from the Castle, is set in the historic Raseborg Castle and its fascinating stories. In the performance, children and young people weave their own stories from the castle’s past and bring them to the stage through dance and circus arts. The production is part of the Karis–Karjaa 700th anniversary year, and through it we celebrate local history and its living heritage together. The performance also includes high-energy acts in the ‘Highlight’ section, performed by students of various ages and from different disciplines. Come and see, experience and enjoy the joy of dance and the magic of the circus.
Hurja Piruetti is participating in a new international project!
Hurja Piruetti is about to embark on a wonderful European collaboration project called D4EA – Dance for Eco-Anxiety, funded by the Creative Europe program. We are implementing the project together with three inspiring European dance organizations:
- Corps et Arts Dance District (CADD), France
- Interdansa, Spain
- Ijshaamanka, Italy
D4EA – Dance for Eco-Anxiety responds to the growing climate anxiety among young Europeans. The project creates space for processing and validating emotions through non-verbal, creative means of expression, dance, and movement.
The project aims to strengthen the expertise of cultural actors, teachers, and institutions.
The project supports our ongoing process of renewing our sustainable development certification and, at the same time, opens up a broader discussion at the European level.