Lahden Tanssiopisto

Lahden Tanssiopisto – Teaching circus arts in Lahti

Lahden Tanssiopisto is a Finnish arts education institution founded in 1983 in Lahti, in the Päijät-Häme region. Although historically specializing in dance, it also offers comprehensive training in circus arts, accessible to children, teenagers, and adults.

The institution welcomes nearly 700 students across all disciplines. It combines regular classes, structured artistic pathways, stage practice, and group projects.

An art school founded in 1983

Since its creation, Lahden Tanssiopisto has contributed to the development of artistic education in the Lahti region.

The establishment now offers numerous dance and circus disciplines, with more than 80 weekly classes .

The courses are taught by qualified and experienced professionals .

The school places great importance on cooperation, creativity, individual progress and the joy of learning.

A genuine artistic circus training program

Lahden Tanssiopisto provides circus training integrated into the Finnish system of basic artistic education, called taiteen perusopetus .

Two courses are offered: the general course ( yleinen oppimäärä ) and the in-depth course ( laaja oppimäärä ).

The first option allows students to discover the disciplines and progress over several years. The second option offers a greater commitment, combining fundamental studies, advanced technical training, and the development of personal artistic projects.

Students can therefore build their own learning path according to their motivation, their objectives and the time they wish to devote to their practice.

Circus awakening and the family circus

The initial activities are designed for young children.

The school offers, in particular, family circus classes for children aged 2 to 4 years accompanied by an adult.

The sessions combine games, movements, simple exercises and the discovery of circus disciplines.

Children develop their first motor skills, coordination and body awareness.

Having an adult present allows this discovery to be shared in a reassuring environment.

The circus for children

From the age of 4 , children can join circus groups adapted to their age.

Learning begins with the fundamentals: movement, balance, acrobatic movements and discovering the accessories.

The exercises allow you to gradually develop strength, flexibility and coordination.

The playful aspect remains important, particularly among younger people.

As they grow older, students can access more advanced groups and delve deeper into different techniques.

Ground acrobatics

Acrobatics is one of the main disciplines taught.

Students learn to control their movements, develop their strength, and improve their mobility.

The teaching combines technical exercises, physical preparation and body control.

The groups are organized according to age and level, in order to offer difficulties adapted to the abilities of the participants.

Handstands

The school also teaches hand balances, called käsilläseisonta in Finnish.

This discipline develops stability, strength, and awareness of body alignment.

It requires concentration and steady progress.

Students learn to build their balance by developing the necessary physical and technical skills.

Aerial acrobatics

Aerial acrobatics is one of the disciplines officially offered by Lahden Tanssiopisto.

It allows students to explore movements in suspension and to develop their strength, coordination and body expression.

The practice is integrated into the general circus arts program.

The equipment available and the specialization options may vary depending on the group and the year.

Juggling

Juggling is also taught.

Students discover object manipulation, trajectory control, and movement coordination.

This discipline helps develop precision, concentration, and perseverance.

It also offers opportunities for artistic creation, particularly when techniques are combined with rhythm and movement.

The balance disciplines

Teaching encompasses different forms of balance.

The exercises help to develop body stability, coordination and confidence in movement.

They complement acrobatics and other disciplines by offering a variety of technical challenges.

The goal is to gradually gain better control of the body.

A teaching method combining technique and expression

Lahden Tanssiopisto considers the circus to be an art form in its own right.

The classes are therefore not limited to the repetition of technical movements.

They also include exercises in expression, improvisation, and personal exploration.

Students are encouraged to seek their own solutions, to experiment, and to develop their creativity.

The teaching thus combines physical skills and artistic expression.

Routes adapted to each age

The institution distinguishes several major stages of training.

Early childhood studies, generally between 3 and 6 years old , are devoted to motor development, creativity, and group learning.

The basic studies, approximately from 7 to 14 years old , allow students to deepen their knowledge of techniques and discover the characteristics of the chosen disciplines.

Advanced studies, generally from 12 to 18 years old , give more space to specialization, autonomy and artistic creation.

These ages are indicative: progress also depends on each student's experience.

The advanced course

Students who choose the advanced course devote more time to their artistic training.

The program combines technical learning, expression, analysis of practice and participation in performances.

Advanced studies also include personal creative work.

At the end of the course, the student completes a final project and can obtain the certificate of completion of the advanced course of fundamental artistic education .

This certificate corresponds to the Finnish system of arts education and should not be confused with a higher professional diploma.

Courses for adults

Lahden Tanssiopisto also welcomes adults.

The groups are primarily intended for participants over the age of 16 .

Beginners can discover circus arts without prior experience.

More experienced practitioners can choose courses that match their level.

The exercises are adapted to each person's abilities, with particular attention paid to physical preparation and individual progress.

Performances play a central role.

Stage performance is an integral part of the teaching.

Each group participates in at least one performance during the school year.

The school organizes several student shows each year, as well as collective artistic projects.

Students can also participate in local cultural events, national gatherings, and competitions.

Regular stage practice helps develop self-confidence, artistic presence, and the ability to work with others.

Interdisciplinary creations

Lahden Tanssiopisto has a tradition of collaboration between different artistic disciplines.

The shows may combine dance, circus and other forms of stage expression.

These projects allow students to discover the work of collective creation.

They also offer the opportunity to develop an artistic approach that transcends the boundaries of a single discipline.

Performances during the 2026–2027 school year

For the 2026–2027 school year, the institution is notably announcing an autumn show on November 16, 2026 at the Lahti Municipal Theatre.

A spring show is also planned for April 9, 2027 at Sibeliustalo.

These events illustrate the important place given to the public presentation of students' work.

Activities in Lahti and Orimattila

The main establishment is located in the Valo shopping center in Lahti.

The school also has a teaching location in Orimattila , in the gymnasium of the Erkko high school.

In Orimattila, the program includes a course combining dance for young children and circus arts for children aged 3 to 4 .

This is a branch of the same institution, and not an independent school.

Additional activities

The establishment offers circus entertainment for birthdays, private groups and events.

It is also possible to book educational interventions or shows.

These activities allow circus arts to be introduced to a wider audience than just the students enrolled for the year.

An artistic training program open to the future

Lahden Tanssiopisto allows students to practice circus arts as a leisure activity, but also to engage in a demanding artistic journey.

The diversity of levels and the presence of an in-depth curriculum offer opportunities for long-term progression.

The institution thus provides an interesting base for young people who plan to pursue artistic studies later on.

Lahden Tanssiopisto stands out for its long history, its recognized artistic teaching, the diversity of its circus disciplines and the importance given to shows and creation.

• Main address: Saksalankatu 4–6, 15100 Lahti, Finland
• Telephone: +358 50 300 2529
• Email: info@lahdentanssiopisto.com
• Official website: https://www.lahdentanssiopisto.fi/