Interview with expression trainer Maaria Tuhkunen.
Who are you? What is your education?
I am Maaria Tuhkunen, a freelance artist, theatre pedagogue and expression trainer. I have a Master of Theatre Arts degree, a theatre expression director and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication. In the field of theatre, my areas of specialization are improvisational theatre and group-based theatre/performance art. In my work, I apply theatre-based working methods to different areas of life with different individuals and groups. In recent years, I have increasingly focused on applying art and art-based methods to promote mental well-being.
How long have you been teaching at Helsinki Adult Education Center and what do you teach?
I have been teaching at the Helsinki Adult Education Centre since spring 2012. My sister Annina Tuhkunen had been a physical education and dance teacher at the Helsinki Adult Education Centre for six months, and that is how I knew about the centre. I had a course concept for people with a fear of performing and was looking for a partner to implement the course. The then head of education, Maija Solovjew, was enthusiastic about the new idea, and the course has been implemented every semester since then. I have also taught voice improvisation, among other things, and I have also directed senior theatre groups.
As a teacher, I am an opener of windows and doors. People can decide for themselves whether to walk through open doors or not. For example, with a group of people who are afraid of performing, I don't base my guidance so much on tips and instructions, but at its best, the course is the start of their own personal process. In my courses, students are really motivated. The teacher is more of a companion and a background force, and the learner himself plays an important role in the process. The best thing is when the learner himself has discovered something about himself thanks to the course. People themselves have a huge number of answers. I want to make people realize the good and valuable things that are in them.
What do you want to give the student?
As a teacher, I am an opener of windows and doors. People can decide for themselves whether to walk through open doors or not. For example, with a group of people who are afraid of performing, I don't base my guidance so much on tips and instructions, but at its best, the course is the start of their own personal process. In my courses, students are really motivated. The teacher is more of a companion and a background force, and the learner himself plays an important role in the process. The best thing is when the learner himself has discovered something about himself thanks to the course. There are a lot of answers in people themselves. I want to make people realize the good and valuable things in them. It would be great if the courses strengthened a person's self-esteem, gave them something new to think about, and made some of the blocks spring into a slightly different position. The course can act as an eye-opener and a wake-up call, allowing the student's awareness of themselves and the world around them to grow.
Could you tell us a little about your courses and the subjects you teach?
The goal of survival courses for people with performance anxiety is to find concrete ways to make it more comfortable for each person to be the center of attention or in challenging interaction situations, and also to make it easier to take space on their own terms. During the courses, there is no need to hide your nervousness, which frees up energy to be in better contact with yourself and others. As a pedagogue, I believe in the power of positive feedback and encouragement more than in correcting mistakes. In voice improvisation courses, you get to know your own body as a versatile instrument and throw yourself into playing with your voice without pressure to perform. On the other hand, you learn about healthy voice production. All kinds of voices are welcome on the course and no previous experience is required. In the Theatre 63+ course, a contemporary theatre performance was made together with the group based on the movement, voice and text improvisations of the course participants. The working method is to throw yourself together without pressure to perform. The minimum age for the course is 63 years, so you must already have a few kilometers on the meter. Urban art courses allow students to marvel together at public space and its phenomena from the perspective of community and performance art, and use shared urban space in a way that is different from everyday life.
Why is it worth studying at a community college?
There are many interesting things in the world that you can learn and draw from. No one is ever ready. People change and can and should change at all ages. I have noticed this especially when doing theater with senior groups. The work demands of modern life are also tough, and trying something completely different gives you a break at the same time. Doing something meaningful improves mental health and well-being. Learning something new strengthens your self-esteem and, at best, you get to know new, nice people during courses.
What would you like to say to the students?
In a chaotic world, you can manage even if there are no absolute answers. For those who are afraid of public speaking, I emphasize gentleness towards yourself and accepting your own incompleteness. Perfection does not exist and it is not even interesting. Mistakes are important. In fact, when guiding groups, I have often noticed that a mistake is a hole that opens the way to a new insight. When thinking about a suitable course, it is worth listening to yourself and boldly asking about different course options.
MAARIA TUHKUnen
freelance artist, theatre pedagogue and expression trainer
Photo: Ahmed Odeh, Unsplash