From 12 to 15 February 2026, the 20th edition of AEC Pop & Jazz Platform (PJP) took place in Helsinki, Finland, hosted by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The event brought together around 200 educators, students, musicians, and institutional leaders from across Europe and beyond for four days of exchange, reflection, and artistic inspiration.
Under the theme “Power of Music: self-expression, community engagement and wellbeing in music,” the 21st edition explored how music supported personal development, fostered inclusive communities, and contributed to wellbeing within higher music education.
Kirsi Kaunismäki-Suhonen, Director of School, School of Cultural Services and Music, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences © Saarni Salli
The programme featured a rich mix of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, breakout discussions, Open Floor sessions and dedicated student meetings. Highly participatory formats encouraged active involvement and peer exchange, enabling both students and professionals to share experiences and forward-looking practices from their institutions and across the wider field.
Additionally, performances and creative presentations highlighted the diversity and vitality of pop and jazz education across the AEC network.
Participants had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from Kari Ikonen during his session Self-expression in music – what does it actually mean?, where he reflected on the artistic and personal dimensions of musical expression. They also explored the role of music in the development of humankind and learned about recent hypotheses on the topic in the lecture Neuroscience highlights: the cognitive and wellbeing effects of music, presented by Minna Huotilainen, who shared current research on the cognitive and wellbeing impacts of musical engagement.
For the second consecutive year, the AEC Traditional, Folk and Global Music Working Group held a session at PJP. This year’s session, titled The rising tide lifts all boats: exploring artistic research practices in folk, popular & jazz music, examined the shared ground between pop, jazz, and traditional music practices, highlighting artistic research as a common and unifying element across these genres.
© Saarni Salli
Participants also had the opportunity to discover Metropolia’s facilities and Helsinki’s tranquil wintery environment. Informal networking moments, social gatherings, and shared musical experiences strengthened connections and sparked valuable dialogues across the community.
© Saarni Salli
The AEC Pop & Jazz Platform 2026 concluded with a strong sense of community and shared purpose. The discussions and artistic exchanges that took place in Helsinki reinforced the importance of creativity, openness, and wellbeing as central pillars of contemporary pop and jazz education.
Additionally, VoCon took place on Sunday, 15 February. As a Europe-wide platform for vocal Jazz, Pop, Folk and related practices in higher music education, VoCon provides a personal, practice-based space for teachers of these genres working in higher music education institutions to share good practice, reflect on educational approaches, and connect across diverse European contexts.
© Samu Hautaniemi
The AEC expressed its sincere gratitude to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the speakers and performers, and all participants who contributed to making the 2026 platform a meaningful and forward-looking event.
Looking forward to next year’s AEC Pop and Jazz Platform 2027, which will be hosted by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. More information will be announced in upcoming months.
