Our teachers

Susanna Tenkanen-Lindeman
Singing and teaching singing have been at the heart of my life for decades. I have served as the director and head vocal teacher of Tampereen Laulukoulu since 2008, and for me, vocal teaching is above all a holistic encounter with both the person and the voice
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I have taught singing at Tampere Conservatoire since 2001 and worked at TAMK as a vocal teacher and teacher of subject didactics from 2002 to 2026. In addition, I lecture and supervise studies in vocal pedagogy for children and young people at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Teaching singing to children and young people is one of my special areas of expertise, and I have worked systematically to develop it both in teaching and in teacher education.
My development project, Singing with Children – A Vocal Pedagogue’s Experiences of Teaching Singing to Children, can be read at:
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201405219103
As a performer, I have sung in opera, stage and concert productions, and have given concerts in Finland and Germany. These performance experiences have deepened my understanding of the singer’s work and also enrich my teaching.
I graduated as a vocal teacher in 1999 and continued my studies at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. I completed my Master of Music degree in 2014.
As a teacher, it is important to me to create a safe, encouraging and joyful atmosphere where each student can develop their voice from their own starting point. I believe that when a student feels truly heard, the voice also begins to open and become freer.
Susanna teaches by arrangement on Fridays during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Johanna Kyykoski
Emma Award-winning musician, singer and vocal pedagogue
I am an Emma Award-winning musician, singer and vocal pedagogue originally from Valkeakoski and currently based in Tampere. I graduated as a band and orchestra musician from Kymi Conservatoire in 2008 and as a pop/jazz vocal teacher from Savonia University of Applied Sciences in 2014. My studies also included an exchange year at the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus in Denmark.
I have over ten years of experience performing on international stages, including with the a cappella group Tuuletar. I have given concerts in countries such as Japan, India, Australia and Chile, and have worked as a soloist, composer, lyricist and backing vocalist.
I have taught singing at Tampereen Laulukoulu since 2014. My teaching combines healthy voice use, versatile vocal techniques, performance skills, and a holistic understanding of the body and voice. My goal is to help each student find their own natural way of singing in a safe, encouraging and inspiring atmosphere. Together, we explore the voice, expression and the joy that singing brings.
Johanna teaches on Mondays and Tuesdays during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Jennifer Markin
I am a musician, music pedagogue (Bachelor of Culture and Arts) and drama instructor (Bachelor of Culture and Arts). I graduated as a vocal teacher from Centria University of Applied Sciences in 2022, majoring in pop/jazz singing.
I have worked at Tampereen Laulukoulu since 2022.
Songwriting is one of my greatest passions. I compose, write lyrics and arrange music for my own projects, choirs and amateur theatre productions, among others. In the field of theatre, I have worked in many roles, including as a director, actor, group instructor and teacher.
Creativity, self-expression and finding one’s own voice are at the heart of my teaching. I want to encourage my students to approach their voice with kindness, curiosity and courage. I believe that the body and mind work closely together when we sing, and I am especially interested in how music, stories and emotions are expressed and felt in the body.
My goal is to help every singer find their own authentic way of expressing themselves. Music is a unique way to create connection, convey emotions and express oneself – and, to me, it is one of the most wonderful things in the world.
Jennifer teaches on Wednesdays and occasionally at weekends during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Anu Collin
I graduated as an instrumental pedagogue from the Music Degree Programme at Tampere University of Applied Sciences in spring 2023, with classical singing as my main subject. I graduated as a musician from Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova in Pori in 2019.
As a singer, I have travelled a long road towards finding my own voice and, above all, the courage to use it. For this reason, as a vocal teacher, I am driven by a passion for helping singers of all ages and levels gain insights into vocal technique. My aim is to ensure that each student finds their own voice and learns to sing without harming their instrument.
I also want to create a safe and accepting atmosphere where singers feel free to explore their own way of singing and interpreting both popular and classical repertoire.
I am talkative and lively, easy to approach and genuinely enthusiastic as a teacher. Since singing is good for us in a holistic way — for both the heart and the brain — I want to offer everyone the opportunity to discover the singer within themselves.
Anu teaches during the 2026–2027 academic year

Veera Tapanainen
I am a musician (Bachelor of Culture and Arts) who graduated from the Music Theatre programme at Tampere University of Applied Sciences in 2017, and I work as a freelance actor (FIA). I have performed as an actor in several musicals, including productions at Tampere Workers’ Theatre, and have also worked in dubbing, as a musician and in education.
As a teacher, I want to encourage students towards bold, individual expression and the joy of singing. It is important to me that the voice develops in a healthy way and that lessons have a safe, open and encouraging atmosphere. I am happy to work together with each student to find practice methods, tools and inspiring repertoire that suit them personally.
I teach all styles of rhythm music, but musicals are especially close to my heart. Musical theatre repertoire offers a unique opportunity to develop vocal technique, expression and storytelling. Students can also choose to explore song interpretation, acting and performance skills during lessons.
Veera teaches on Thursdays and Fridays during the 2026–2027 academic year

Samuli Pajunen
I am a Ukrainian-born vocal teacher, concert and chamber singer with over seven years of teaching experience and nearly 20 years of performance experience in both classical and popular music.
I graduated from Kharkiv Conservatoire as a vocal pedagogue and concert singer, and I have also completed two other higher education degrees in music.
In my teaching, I focus on voice control, breathing and resonance according to the principles of the Italian school of singing. Every voice is unique, which is why I approach teaching individually, taking each student’s goals and starting point into account.
I teach classical and popular singing in Finnish, English and Russian to singers of all ages and levels. I currently work as the alto section leader of the Tampere Philharmonic Choir. I have performed as a soloist and choir singer in Finland and across Europe.
My lessons have a calm and encouraging atmosphere where students can develop their voice safely and find their own way of singing.

Heidi Simelius
I am a Ukrainian-born vocal teacher, concert and chamber singer with over seven years of teaching experience and nearly 20 years of performance experience in both classical and popular music.
I graduated from Kharkiv Conservatoire as a vocal pedagogue and concert singer, and I have also completed two other higher education degrees in music.
In my teaching, I focus on voice control, breathing and resonance according to the principles of the Italian school of singing. Every voice is unique, which is why I approach teaching individually, taking each student’s goals and starting point into account.
I teach classical and popular singing in Finnish, English and Russian to singers of all ages and levels. I currently work as the alto section leader of the Tampere Philharmonic Choir. I have performed as a soloist and choir singer in Finland and across Europe.
My lessons have a calm and encouraging atmosphere where students can develop their voice safely and find their own way of singing.

Mikko Leppänen
I graduated from Tampere University of Applied Sciences with a degree in music education, majoring in voice and music technology. I began teaching voice and small groups in 2013. As a teacher, I want to share my understanding of how to approach different musical genres vocally, while also paying attention to the nuances of each style and ensuring healthy use of the voice and body.
I have about 10 years of experience in singing and performing. Along the way, I’ve explored many different music styles, from rock to the latest pop, and from dance music to rap. I perform very actively in various light music ensembles, such as the party band Toaster and Get The Led – A tribute to Led Zeppelin.
Rock music is close to my heart, but I really enjoy listening to and singing all kinds of music, as well as challenging myself with new musical experiences.
(Mikko teaches online lessons by appointment)

Juhana Mattila Pianisti
Juhana is a Tampere-born pianist who teaches music theory and piano at several music schools in Tampere.
He also works as an accompanist for the Finnish Theatre Institute and has played in productions such as the musical Catsat Tampere Theatre. Juhana has been Tampereen Laulukoulu’s trusted pianist, band leader and accompanist since 2013.
As a pianist and accompanist, he is at home in all musical styles. His personal favourites include classical pieces from the Romantic era and jazz standards, although he enjoys being musically versatile — good music never wears out! From the pianist’s seat, he also enjoys stepping into the world of the organ, where he gets to work not only with his hands, but also with his feet and the organ’s orchestral range of colours
