INFO
ENROLMENT AVAILABLE IN FINNISH, ENGLISH AND SWEDISH: https://esko.eepos.fi/#/splash
WHAT IS ESKO?
Espoon sirkus- ja teatterikoulu Esko is a school for performing arts. Our theatre, circus and circus theatre education is available for all ages and we are located all around Espoo. In Esko we value equal opportunities to explore and to be creative – together!
In Esko, you can study circus, theatre, and circus theatre either according to the basic education in the arts curriculum or through individual courses.
Free trial class!
You can always come to join one lesson for free as a trial. We also hold “Bring-a-Friend Weeks” during weeks 37 and 3, when visitors are especially welcomed in class. You are welcome to try out circus and theatre in practise! All participants are insured by Esko and remember: any excitement caused by the circus or theatre bug is at your own risk.
ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON
New students are accepted at Esko in order of registration. If a group is full, you can join the waiting list.
We offer circus and theatre groups for all ages, with several teaching locations across Espoo.
The complete list of Esko’s teaching groups is available in the schedule. You can view detailed group descriptions through the registration system. Browse available groups in Eepos via the "Apply as new Student" button, opening the menu does not commit you to registration.
TEACHING AND HOLIDAYS
Esko offers 34 teaching weeks throughout the academic year.
Autumn Semester 2025
August 18 – December 12, 2025
Autumn Break: Week 42
Spring Semester 2026
January 7 – May 19, 2026
Winter Break: Week 8
TUITION FEES
Tuition fees are based on the number of teaching hours per week. The family discount for family members is 50€ per person. The invoice will be sent to the email address provided upon registration twice a year: in August and January. The invoice can be paid in one payment or in two installments upon request. A scholarship or fee reduction can be applied for using a form available forms Esko´s office: susanna.hintikka@esko.fi
If we need to send a payment reminder, a 5€ fee will be added to the invoice. After that, the invoice will be forwarded to a collection agency. If a student discontinues their studies during the academic year, the tuition fee will not be refunded. If the interruption occurs due to, for example, illness, moving away or other similar reasons, the principal may grant a discount on the tuition fee based on an application. The application can be submitted as a free-form email. Failure to pay the tuition fee will result in the loss of the student's place.
Tuition fees for the academic year 2025–2026 are:
(ot = teaching hour 45 min.)
Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year:
(ot = instruction hour, 45 min.)
THEATER PROGRAMME
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Circus Theatre Kids, Circus Theatre 1 & 2, Theatre 1 & 2 (60 min/week) – €210
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Theatre 3 & 4, Circus Theatre 3 & 4 (2 ot/week) – €230
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Theatre 5, 6 & 7 (3 ot/week) – €255
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Theatre 8, 9 & 10 (4 ot/week) – €285
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Final Production Group (6 ot/week) – €310
CIRCUS PROGRAMME
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Circus Theatre Kids, Circus Theatre 1 & 2, Circus 1 & 2 (60 min/week) – €210
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Circus 3, Circus Theatre 3 & 4 (2 ot/week) – €230
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Circus 4 & 5 (2 ot + 60 min/week) – €270
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Circus 6, 7 & 9 (4 ot/week) – €285
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Circus 8 (5 ot/week) – €295
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Final Production Group (6 ot/week) – €310
BASIC ARTS EDUCATION
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM, 1300h
Basic education in the arts is provided primarily for children and young people on an extracurricular basis. Basic arts education is provided at music institutes and schools, art schools, dance institutes and schools, handicrafts schools and other educational institutions.
Basic education in the different fields of art progresses in a goal-oriented manner from one level to the next and provides students with the skills to express themselves as well as the ability to apply for vocational training and education or higher education in this field.
A reasonable fee may be charged for participating in basic arts education. The education provider decides on whether a fee is charged. Under the Act on Basic Education in the Arts, basic arts education may not be provided for the purpose of making a profit.
National core curriculum: extended syllabus and general syllabus
BASIC CURRICULUM, 500h
National core curriculum: extended syllabus and general syllabus
The tuition complies with the curricula approved by the education provider, which must be based on the national core curriculum determined by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The curricula outline the objectives and key content of education, and they can include syllabuses of various scopes.
The syllabuses for basic education in the arts consist of a general syllabus and an extended syllabus. The core curriculum for the extended and general syllabus has been confirmed for visual arts, crafts, media arts, music, literary art, circus art, dance, theatre. (Ministry of Education and Culture)
HENKILÖKUNTA
CONTACT INFO
Staff and Contact Information
Teachers in the Theatre Arts
Terhi Perälä - Headmaster
Heidi Korhonen - Principal theatre Teacher
Kaisa Hahl - Theatre Teacher
Ella Jokela - Theatre Teacher
Kristiina Kulhelm - Theatre Teacher
Elsa Kääriä - Theatre Teacher
Jeannette Rönkkö - Theatre Teacher
Kaisa Saarakkala - Theatre Teacher
Vilma Salmi - Theatre Teacher
Karen Soinila - Theatre Teacher
Teachers in the Circus Arts
Taruelma Heikkinen - Assistant Principal
Janni Johansson - Circus Teacher
Jenny Mansikkasalo - Circus Teacher
Heidi Miikki - Circus Teacher
Seija Pitkänen - Circus Teacher
Matti Sairanen - Circus Teacher
Pinja Schönberg - Circus Teacher
Linnea Tuominen - Circus Teacher
Rasmus Witikka - Circus Teacher
HALLINTO
Terhi Perälä - Principal
Taruelma Heikkinen - Assistant Principal
Susanna Hintikka - Director of Administration
Tiiu Chune -Cleaner, Office Assistant
Staff email addresses follow the format:
CIRCUS & THEATRE CHANGES LIVES
Our Values and Philosophy
Circus and theatre are for everyone. They are art forms that enrich life with new skills, friends, physical fitness and mental well-being. Esko attracts children, adults and the elderly from digital gadgets to the joy of life, to a reality where everything is truly possible.
Our mission since 1999 has been to teach two wonderful and empowering arts with great professionalism and a big heart. With the current curriculum, our school offers an introduction to both arts at the same time in circus theatre education. All students also get a small taste of the other art form during their studies.
Values at Esko:
- We create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone
- Circus Arts and Theatre Arts are valuable both on their own and together
- Each person is unique and equal
-Sustainable lifestyle guides our choices
-Our focus is on creativity and thinking skills
-We explore, create and develop new working models
-Our staff is professional and well-educated
At Esko, we follow the principles of a Safer Space.
ART BY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
ESKO is an OKKA Foundation Sustainable Development Certificate holder
We want to share joy that isn’t based on consumption, but on learning new skills in a communal atmosphere. We strive to live sustainably and incorporate ecological choices into our daily lives in every possible way. In our activities, we use a lot of recycled materials as well as ethically produced products. We also gladly accept donations of used textiles suitable for costumes.
TURVALLISEMMAN TILAN PERIATEET
SAFER SPACE GUIDELINES
SUPPORTING THE ASSOCIATION
Circus and Theatre School ESKO (formerly Espoo Performing Arts School) is an educational institution maintained by a registered supporting association. The City of Espoo and the Ministry of Education and Culture support Esko financially. A private individual, legal entity or foundation that wishes to support the purpose and activities of the association can become a supporting member of the Espoo Circus and Theatre School Esko Supporting Association. The membership fee for a supporting member is 10 euros for a private individual, 150 euros for an entity or foundation. Further information is available from the school office. The members of the supporting association's board are elected annually in the spring at the association's annual meeting.
OPETUSTILAT
Esko has one dedicated circus space and one dedicated theatre space.
In addition to these, we operate close to our students — in schools and multipurpose facilities across Espoo.
Esko is continuously looking for a larger, permanent venue where it would be possible to practice and perform both circus and theatre in a professional setting.
here you can find video instructions regarding our locations.
CIRCUS
Järvenperän sirkustila, Järvenperän koulu, Auroranmäki 1
Kannusali, Kannusillankatu 4-6, Espoon keskus
Kutojantien liikuntasali, Kutojantie 2, Nihtisilta
Kilonpuiston koulu, auditorio, Kilonpuisto 5
Saunalahden koulu, auditorio, Brinkinmäentie 1
Kivimiehen monitoimisali (parkkipaikat Betonimiehenkuja 2), Lämpömiehenkuja 2, Otaniemi
THEATRE
Studio Esko, Pappilantie 2, Espoon keskus
Kannusali, Kannusillankatu 4-6, Espoon keskus
Matinkylän monitoimitalo, Matinraitti 17
Auroran koulu, päiväkodin liikuntasali, Lippajärventie 44, Lippajärvi
Karakallion koulu, auditorio, Kotkakuja 5
Kutojantien liikuntasali, Kutojantie 2, Nihtisilta
Haukilahden lukio, Valtamerisali, Tekniikantie 3, Otaniemi
Pohjois-Tapiolan koulu, Sepontie 4
Monikko, Veräjäpellonkatu 2-4, Leppävaara
Viherlaakson koulu, Vanha juhlasali, Lukionahde 1
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
(AT THIS TIME, AVAILABLE ONLY IN FINNISH)
