Violin
Marcin Baranowski
prominent chamber artist and teacher. Graduated with distinction from prof. Jad-wiga Kaliszewska’s violin class at the Music Academy my in Poznań. For 10 years he played in Collegium Musicorum Posnaniensium and 24 years contributed his skills to “Amadeus” Chamber Orchestra under Agnieszka Duczmal. Numerous recording and concert tours of Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Quwait and Tajwan. Currently Professor of Violin at the Music Academies in Poznań and Bydgoszcz and al so Talent School in Poznań. He gives master classes and has trains a large number of prize-winning violinist.
Helen Brunner
violin teacher. Violin studies at the Royal College of Music, London and the Juliard School, N.Y. with Oscar Shumsky. Introduced to the Suzuki Method, she then founded the London Suzuki Group comprising violin, viola, cello and piano studies. Graduated from Dr Suzuki’s Talent Education School, Japan. Flourising international career as violin teacher and teacher trainer with workshops all over the world. She has been recogniset by the Who’s Who of Woman for her distinguished service to music.
Izabela Ceglińska
soloist, chamber artist, teacher. Professor of Music Arts. Graduated with distinction from Academy of Music, Łódź (prof. I Wojciechowska’s ciolin class). Further studies at master classes in Łańcut, Bayreuth and Baden-Baden. Won Ruggiero Ricci and Polish Ministry of Culture scholarships. Prizewinner at competitions, concertizes in Poland and abroad. From 1996-2001 Deputy Dean, until 2008 Dean of the Department of Instruments and Head of the String Instruments Chair at the Academy of Music in Łódź. Juror of national and international competitions.
Natan Dondalski
soloist, concertmaster, teacher. He graduated cum laude from the class of prof. M. Ławrynowicz at the AM in Warsaw. He also studied with G. Zhislin (Wurzburg) and R. Fain (Dusseldorf). He perfected his skills during master classes with W. Wiłkomirska, M. Jaszwili, W. Marschner and P. Amoyal. Prizewinner of international violin competitions in Lublin, Prague, Weimar and Freiburg. As a soloist, he has performed in many countries with excellent orchestras: NOSPR, Polish Radio Orchestra, Slovak Sinfonietta, Staatskapelle Weimar, Deutsche L. Spohr Philharmonie Freiburg, Rundfunkorchesters Kaiserslautern, Klassische Philharmonie Bonn. He teaches violin at the Academy of Art in Szczecin and at the ZPSM im. G. Bacewicz in Koszalin, and his students win awards in competitions. Consultant of CEA in Warsaw. Awarded many times by the Director of CEA and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Honored with the Gloria Artis Medal.
Wojciech Koprowski
soloist, chamber musician, and educator, as well as a violinist of the Meccore String Quartet, regarded as one of the leading string quartets of their generation. He is one of the few performers to play all of Eugène Ysaÿe’s Solo Violin Sonatas Op. 27 in a single recital. His album Ysaÿe Impressions was nominated for a Fryderyk Award in 2010. He has performed as a soloist with the Max Bruch Philharmonie, Philharmonie Baden-Baden, and the majority of Polish philharmonics. Koprowski graduated with honors from the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, where he studied with K. A. Kulka. He is a laureate of 15 top awards at violin competitions. He teaches violin and string quartet at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Academy of Music in Kraków, and also conducts masterclasses in Europe and the USA.
Ewa Kowar
violinist, chamber musician and teacher. Doctor of Musical Arts. Graduated from the Chopin Academy of Music, Warsaw, where she studied with prof. Z. Brzewski, prof. M. Ławrynowicz and prof. K. Makowska-Ławrynowicz. Comleted master classes in Łańcut taught by prof.” Z. Bron, E. Feltz, K. Lewin. Teaches the violin at Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Unoiversity of Music affiliate in Białystok and the Z. Brzewski Secondary School of Music in Warsaw. Juror of competitions for children and young adults. General Secretary of ESTA Poland.
Konstanty Andrzej Kulka
world-famous virtuoso, soloist, chamber artist, teacher. Student of Stefan Herman. Graduated with distinction from the PWSM in Gdańsk. He began his world career after winning the first prize at the ARD International Radio Competition in Munich. He performs and records all over the world with the most distinguished orchestras and artists. He has performed over 3,000 recitals and concerts, recorded many albums and film music. Polish music occupies an important place in his rich and versatile repertoire. Professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Juror of prestigious violin competitions. Honored with many awards. Honorary doctor of the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk and the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.
Maria Machowska
soloist, chamber musician, teacher. Concertmaster of the National Philharmonic Orchestra in Warsaw, MDA, Professor at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Her professors included Mirosław Ławrynowicz, Marek Zebura, and then Konstanty Andrzej Kulka. Prizwinner of the 13th International H. Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poznań (2006) and the 6th International L. Mozart Violin Competition in Augsburg (2006). She has given concerts in all European countries, as well as in the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Korea, and Israel. In 2008-2014, she was the Concertmaster of the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra. She teaches a violin class at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. In 2022, she was awarded the Bronze Gloria Artis Medal.
Oriana Masternak
violinist, chamber musician, and professor at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. She has performed across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, presenting both classical masterpieces and world premieres of contemporary works. A laureate of national and international competitions, she has received prestigious scholarships and nominations for the Fryderyk and Koryfeusz Muzyki Polskiej awards. She is a member of the Messages Quartet, with whom she recorded the complete string quartets of Szymon Laks. Her extensive discography includes over 15 albums. She has collaborated with numerous festivals and orchestras and has premiered more than 30 contemporary compositions. As Head of the Violin and Viola Department at AMKP, she conducts masterclasses in Poland and abroad and actively organizes artistic and academic events. She is also a recipient of the SONATA BIS research grant from the National Science Centre, focusing on the Kraków violin tradition.
Karolina Mikołajczyk
winner of the Paszport Polityki in the category of Classical Music; soloist and chamber musician, DMA, teacher at the ZPSM and OSM im. Z. Brzewski in Warsaw. She graduated cum laude from the UMFC, studying with A. Gębski, A. Szymczewska, J. Wawrowski and M. Machowska. She studied at the Hochschule fur Musik und Tanz in Cologne with Z. Bron. She perfected her skills with M. Vengerov, I. Turban, W. Marschner, K.A. Kulka. She has performed recitals in 32 countries on 5 continents in venues such as: Carnegie Hall, the National Philharmonic, Guangzhou Opera House, NOSPR, Teatro del Lago, The Star Performing Arts Center in Singapore, The Edge in Melbourne and Esplanade in Singapore. In 2022 nominated for the Fryderyk award for the album “BŁAŻEWICZ” with compositions dedicated to Duo Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki. She collaborates with contemporary composers and promotes Polish music in the world. Living in New York and giving concerts in the USA, she gained new artistic experiences and competences.
Agata Szymczewska
winner of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poznań in 2006. Winner of 4 “Fryderyki”, “Paszport Polityki”, “London Music Masters” awards and “Koryfeusz Muzyki Polskiej”. Professor at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Teacher of music courses in the USA, Japan, Korea, Chile, China and Germany. She performs and records with artists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Krystian Zimerman, Martha Argerich, Maxim Vengerov, Mischa Maisky, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Seiji Ozawa, Krzysztof Penderecki and Sir Neville Marriner. She has been the leader of the Karol Szymanowski Quartet for over 10 years. President of the Musical Society of H. Wieniawski in Poznań. Playing the violin by N. Gagliano (1755).
Monika Urbaniak-Lisik
professor of violin and chamber music at the Hochschule der Künste in Bern, educated 130 violinists from all over the world. Conducts master classes in Europe and America. Juror of numerous competitions and expert of Swiss universities. Studies and assistantship in the class of Prof. Z. Płoszaj in Łódź and the master class of Prof. I. Ozim in Bern (soloist diploma with distinction). Prizewinner of the Jahnke Competition (1st prize) and the 8th International Wieniawski Competition (special prize). Soloist and chamber concerts in Europe, America, Africa with a repertoire of all eras. As a member of the Swiss Soloists and Camerata Bern, she performed at Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein, Sydney Opera House, Wigmore Hall, among others. Participated in festivals in Lockenhaus, Lucerne, Rheingau, Menuhin in Gstaad, Warsaw Autumn. Numerous award-winning ensemble and solo recordings for international labels. Awarded the “Gloria Artis” medal. Plays the J.B. Vuillaume violin, Paris 1840.
Małgorzata Wacławik
graduate of the Academy of Music in Katowice. Certified teacher with many years of experience at the W. Kilar ZSM in Katowice and the F. Chopin PSM in Będzin. Her students are prizwinners of internat. and nat. competitions. Juror at inter.and nat. competitions, as well as the National Consultant of CEA. Conducts violin workshops throughout Poland. In 2015 and 2018 she was awarded the CEA Director’s Award, 2nd and 1st degree, and in 2024 she received the Award of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, 2nd degree. Permanently associated with the Silesian Philharmonic. Together with the artistic agency Pro Musica from Wrocław, she conducts lively artistic activity, performing in the most important concert halls in the world, including Santory Hall Tokyo, Tonhalle Zurich, KKL Luzern Konzert Hall, Geneva Victoria Hall, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Berlin Philharmonic, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Forbidden City Concert Hall Beijing.
Viola
Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
viola soloist, chamber artist, teacher, habilitated PhD, professor at the Acad. of Music in Gdańsk and Bydgoszcz. After graduating with first-class honours from the Acad. of Music in Gdańsk, where his teacher was prof I. Albrecht, he perfected his skills at Uni. für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna and under the faculty of A. Zemtsov, M. Buchholz, H. Rohde, A. Levitan. ReVIOLAtion’s debut album (Naxos) received the Pizzicato Supersonic Award, 5 camertones in Diapason Magazine. Prizewinner at nat. and internat. competitions, awards and scholarships. He debuted as soloist with the Polish Chamber Philh. Orchestra Sopot., and as chamber player with T. Wojnowicz at the T. Baird Philh. Hall in Zielona Gora. He teaches master-classes and judges competitions. His students win viola prizes at nat. and internat. and orchestra auditions. Protagonist of viola and new music and has performed over 60 world premieres. Composers dedicate his works to him. His articles are published, among others in the Journal of the American Viola Society (USA) and on meakultura.pl. Director of EURO Chamber Music Festival Gdańsk. A recipient of Gloria Artis medal.
Cello
Stanisław Firlej
solist, chamber artist, teacher. Cello studies under K. Kozolupov and N. Gutman at Moscow Conservatory and with A, Navarra at Academia Chigiana, Siena. Won performance prizes at competitions. Concertizes and records for Polish and foreign labels with pianist Anna Wesołowska-Firlej and as member of Chopin Trio, Rubinstein Trio and Polish Camerata of which he is founder and leader. Professor of Cello on the faculties of Music Academies in Łódź and Wrocław. Gives numerous master classes in Poland (Łańcut and Żagań), Austria (Zell am Pram) and Croatia (Hvar).
Tomasz Strahl
top rank cellist, solo and chamber artist, teacher. Student of K. Michalik at Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, postgraduate studies with T. Kühne at Hochschule für Musik, Vienna. Top prizes and awards at many competitions. Performs and records all over the world. Professor of cello and Dean of the Department of Instruments of the the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. He teaches master classes in Europe and Japan. Received a Frederic award from the Polish Record Industry, the Gold Cross of Merit, the Culture Minister’s Award Gloria Artis and the Cross Polonia Restituta. In 2024 he was elected as Rector of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music for the 2024-2028.
Mateusz Szmyt
graduated with distinction from the Z. BrzewskiSecondary Music School and with honours from the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, studying the cello with prof. T. Strahl, and further-ing his solo-cellist studies with P. Buck in Stuttgart. At present he is a cellist with Warsaw’s National Philharmonic Orchestra, a cello teacher at Warsaw’s Chopin Univ. of Music, a long – serving teacher at the Z. Brzewski Music School and assistant to prof. T. Strahl. He has often been awarded by jury members for excellent preparation of his students for competitions. Indeed they have won prizes at several dozen nat. and internat. competitions. Twice awarded first prize by the Art Education Centre for a notable contribution to artistic education in Poland, in 2018 he received a Distinguished Services to Polish Culture award
Double bass
Jan Kotula
graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Katowice (W. Tamowski’s class). Since 1997 a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio (principal double-bassist since 2002) and the Orchestra’s quartet Primo Allegro. Solo, chamber and orchestral performances at home and abroad. Disc and radio recordings. A prizewinner (2nd prize) at the A.B. Ciechański National Double Bass Competition, Poznań 1997 and third prize winner at the International Double Bass Competition, Markneukirchen 1999. Doctor of Musical Arts, he is assistant professor of double-bass at his Alma Mater.
Harp
Helga Storck
soloist, chamber musician, teacher. One of themost renowned German harpists, born in Silesia and studying in Germany and with Marcel Grandjany at the NY Juilliard School. Has performed with many outstanding ensembles and was Princi-pal Harp with the WDR Radio Orchester Cologne, Hamburg Opera and the Munich Philharmonic. Has recorded for famous labels in-cluding Deutsche Grammophon, Vox, Teldec, Erato, Calig, Colos-seum, Philips and Polskie Nagrania. Formerly Professor of Harp at Munich’s Hochschule fur Musik und Theater, Salzburg’s Universität Mozarteum, since 2004 she has been Professor of Harp at the Aca demy of Music in Katowice, Poland. For her outstanding services to Polish culture she was awarded a Gloria Artis medal.
Chamber ensembles
Zuzanna Małgorzata Budzyńska
a soloist and chamber musician, Young Promoter of Poland 2023, Coryphaeus of the Polish Music 2019, laureate of many international competitions. The founding member of Cuore Piano Trio, which performed in most of the European countries, in North America and Asia. She performs regularly in Musikverein Wien, Warsaw Philharmonic, NOSPR and others. She gave concerts alongside Ch. Altenburger, R. Latzko, K. Makowska-Ławrynowicz, J. Wawrowski or G. Skrobiński and she performs as a baroque violinist and guest concertmaster in Austria and Poland as well. She studied at the F. Chopin Univ. of Music (Summa cum Laude 2021) and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and her teachers included Ch. Altenburger, E. Zienkowski, A. Gębski, D. Smolarski and A. Szymczewska. She also took lessons from W. Marschner, H. Beyerle, E. Feltz or R. Fain. She conducts masterclasses in Poland and Canada.
Giovanni La Porta
graduated in viola in Conservatorio of Musica “C. Pollini” in Padova and in violin in Conservatorio di Musica of “J. Tomadini” in Udine, studying with m° R. Senia and D. Asciolla. Finished musical studies, and played violin and viola in several professional orchestra in Italy and abroad (Orch. Rai in Milano, Orch. Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Orch. da Camera di Padova). He had many experiences with chamber music ensemble, particularly dedicated to music of the baroque and classical periods. As a violin teacher he has taught for over 30 years in a public secondary school. He has published a short guide for beginners in violin study titled Primo incontro con il violino (1994, Intra’s ed.). Graduated in Architecture at the IUAV in Venice (1997), subsequently obtaining a PhD in “Civil environmental engineering and architecture” at the University of Udine (2014), specializing in the field of building and room acoustics.
Chamber orchestras
Maksym Dondalski
solo and chamber violinist, conductor,teacher. He graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where he first studied the violin with Jadwiga Kalisze-wska and Marcin Baranowski, and, two years later, orchestra con-ducting under Zygmunt Rychert and Piotr Sułkowski. Award-win-ner at many violin competitions, he is an active concert violinist and orchestral conductor, performing at home and abroad. Until 2016 he was first violin leader/ concertmaster with the Gorzów Philharmon-ic, Poland. For two years now he has been a faculty member of the Academy of Arts in Szczecin, teaching the violin and chamber music, as well as collaborating, since 2016, with Sinfonia Varsovia
Aural Training
Danuta Dobrowolska-Marucha
music theorist, prof. of musical arts, founder of modern aural training methods, author
of innovative aural training materials including coursebooks for different levels of teaching. Degree cum laude from Warsaw’s Chopin Academy of Music. Postgraduate studies with N. Boulanger in Paris. Professor of Aural Training on the faculties of the F. Chopin Univ. of Mus. in Warsaw and the Mus. Acad. in Bydgoszcz, Head of the Intercollegiate Aural Training Chair, Postgrad. Aural Tr. Studies and Intercollegiate Aural Training Unit. A Min. of. Culture consultant, a Min. of Education expert, juror of Solfege competitions and international music courses tutor. Honoured with a Gloria Artis medal.
