Introducing: Afshin Ardalan, ISM Guitar Teacher

Where are you from and what instruments do you play?

I am from Persia and I play Guitar.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?  
Carpentry

Where did you study?
I studied in Persia, and later on here in Finland and Germany.

Where are you studying now?
I don’t study at the moment

What was the thing that got you interested in music?

The MUSIC

Why are you in Finland?
I live in Finland

Who is your favourite musician/composer?
I have so many favourite musicians

Do you have any secret/not-so-secret (unmusical) talents?
Perhaps I do... I know how to work with tools and..

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
nope

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

Salad or Pizza?

Salad and Pizza

What is your favourite country to visit?

Italy

What is your favourite season?
Summer

Do you have hobbies?
Biking, fishing and..

If you could take three things to a desert island, what would you take?

Water, dried food and a Jeep!

Do you have any pets?
nope

Do you have children? What are their names?
I do, Viana and Sarina

Introducing: Sonja Virtanen, ISM Woodwind teacher

Where are you from and what instruments do you play?

I’m from Helsinki and I play the saxophone, flute, clarinet and recorder.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?

That’s a tough one. I think I’d either be an English teacher or a midwife.

Where did you study?

I studied at Pop&Jazz Conservatory and Leeds University.

Who is your favourite musician/composer?

My favourite musician is the saxophonist Cannonball Adderley.

Do you have any secret/not-so-secret (unmusical) talents?

I’m good at weightlifting!

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Pick and mix Amazon sweets.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee.

Cats or dogs?

Don’t make me choose!

Salad or Pizza?

Pizza, but just on special days.

What is your favourite country to visit?

Italy.

What is your favourite season?

Autumn.

What is your favourite food?

Spaghetti carbonara.

Do you have hobbies?

Books and working out, detective shows.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

I haven’t got any pets, but I’d love a chow chow, he’d be called Yossarian, from Catch 22!

Introducing: Jeremy Wong, ISM piano teacher

Where are you from and what instruments do you play?

I was born in Hong Kong, and grew up in Singapore. I play the piano in all shapes and sizes J

Where did you study?

I studied in Singapore, and graduated with a Diploma in music and Bachelor in Music (Hons)

Where are you studying now?

I’m studying now in Sibelius Academy as a Masters Music Theory Major.

Who is your favourite musician/composer?

My favorite composer is Prokofiev.

What has been your most special musical experience to date?

Live group improvisation in a Sauna and art exhibition hall with myself playing a portable keyboard.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs for the yard and cats for the living room

Salad or Pizza?

Definitely pizza and buffet style J

What is your favourite country to visit?

Right now, it’s Paris, France

What is your favourite season?

I know its weird, but I like winter.

What is your favorite food

Anything home cooked!

Introducing: Arturo Alvarado, ISM guitar teacher

Where are you from and what instruments do you play?

I am from Peru and I play Piano, Guitar and Cello.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?

Coding

Where did you study?

In London, St.Petersburg, Berlin, Paris and Helsinki

Where are you studying now?

Nowhere!

What was the thing that got you interested in music?

Rock from the ‘70s and Mussorgski's Pictures at an Exhibition.

Why are you in Finland?

I studied at the Sibelius Academy.

Who is your favourite musician/composer?

The one I am listening to/studying

What has been your most special musical experience to date?

To conduct Puccini.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

Salad or Pizza?

Depends on the day.

What is your favourite country to visit?

Spain

What is your favourite season?

Spring

What is your favourite food?

Steaks!

Do you have hobbies?

When I have free time :-)

If you could take three things to a desert island, what would you take?

Family

Do you have children?

Yes 2 kids.