Adam Kośmieja
Adam Kośmieja gained reputation as one of the most innovative and sought after Polish pianist. Called a musical chameleon, he easily and successfully performs both the classical repertoire and the broadly understood new music with the use of multimedia and electronics.
2023/2024 season highlights include: Chinese recital tour (Shandong Grand Theater, Shanghai Poly City Theater, Guotai Arts Centre - Chongqing, Beijing National Library Arts Centre, Chengde Grand Theater), Norwegian adventure with Agata Zubel's Chamber Piano Concerto at GriegHallen in Bergen, artistic residency with Adam's trio Flow Unit 3 at The Royal Academy of Music in London and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and debut at Berlin Philharmonie with Brahms Horn Trio.
https://adamkosmieja.com/
Fantasticus ensamble
Fantastica Ensemble is a space where Baroque meets unparalleled expression and an innovative approach. We are a flexible ensemble, with our core consisting of violinist Aleksandra Owczarek and harpsichordist Klaudia Łoboda—artists who boldly explore rare and forgotten works, bringing them back to life. We do not recreate Baroque—we reinvent it.
Fantastica Ensemble is more than just a group—it is an artistic mission. We play music that knows no boundaries, defies conventions, and redefines what early music truly is. Authenticity, expression, unpredictability—this is our DNA. In our interpretations, you will hear everything we love most in art: intensity, sensuality, and beauty.
Wojciech Waleczek
Wojciech Waleczek is recognized internationally as a pianist with uncompromisingly high standards in performance. Artist, born in 1980, has been pursuing a robust concert career playing as soloist with symphonic orchestras, solo piano recitals and chamber music concerts in the 27 countries of Europe as well as in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Tunesia, Palestina, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Guyana, Suriname, Canada and the USA.
He has appeared as a soloist with the orchestras of the following philharmonics: Kalisz, Karlovy Vary, Kielce, Koszalin, Lublin, Łódź, Opole, Pomeranian, Rzeszów, Toruń, Szczecin, Wałbrzych, Wrocław, Zabrze, Sinfonia Iuventus, Polish Chamber Philharmonic Sopot, Capella Bydgostiensis, Beethoven Academy Orchestra in Cracow, Polish Radio Orchestra in Warsaw, Elbląg Chamber Orchestra, Kaposvar Symphony Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova, Amman Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Academic Theatre in Briest, Symphonic Orchestra of the National Theatre in Brazil, Parana Symphonic Orchestra, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. He co-operated with many conductors, including: M. J. Błaszczyk, Ł. Borowicz, K. Bumann, G. Chmura, S. Chrzanowski, M. Diadiura, M. Dworzyński, M. Fromanger, Chang Joon-Gun, M. Gawroński, Cz. Grabowski, I. Hobson, G. Kerenyi, V. Kiradijev, J. Kosek, M. Lebel, U. Makhmudov, M. Metelska, N. Morozowicz, M. Nesterowicz, O. Palymsky, D. Pavilionis, M. Pijarowski, P. Przytocki, W. Rajski, J. Rogala, Z. Rychert, J. Salwarowski, M. U. Sidiq, R. Silva, M. Smolij, A. Sosnovsky, M. Sugar, P. Veneri, T. Wojciechowski, M. Wolniewski, J. M. Zarzycki, A. Weiser, M. Żółtowski, B. Żurakowski.
Wojciech Waleczek has graduated with a distinction from the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland in a piano class of Prof. Zbigniew Raubo in 2003. He continued his studies with Prof. Lee Kum-Sing in the Vancouver Academy of Music, Canada. He received the degrees of Doctor of Arts and Habilitated Doctor of Arts from the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, Poland (2014 and 2017) as well as the tittle of Professor of Arts from the President of the Republic of Poland (2022).
Pianist was awarded by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Science and Higher Education and the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Poland, by the presidents of Katowice and Gliwice as well as by the Regional Council of the Silesian Province and many other private and public institutions.
Beside concert activity he works as a Professor at the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Zespół Czereśnie
We are Czereśnie (Cherries in English) and we were formed in 2017 in Kraków, Poland.
Imagine songs telling about the most important things: protecting nature, taking care of your own health, loving your loved ones, respecting diversity. Targeted at the youngest, but avoiding infantilization. Performed in a lively form, full of shared fun and interaction with the audience. Imagine a children's band unlike any other - Cherries!
Andrzej Zagajewski, winner of the Polityka's Passport Award, together with the band Hańba!, has created music that aims not only to have fun, but also to stimulate the development of every person, especially the youngest - their sensitivity, creativity and abilities.
Czereśnie’s performances are an opportunity to get acquainted with the entire palette of instruments and their sounds: drums, bandgo, mandolin, bass guitar, and even tuba or clarinet. The young recipient has a chance to participate in a real concert, performed by professional musicians ogled on stages from the United States, across Europe and as far away as Australia. However, a lot of fun is involved - kids are drawn not only to dance, stomp or clap, but also to play songs together on small instruments.
Neuma Quartet
Neuma Quartet was established in 2022. They have graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Łódź and Bydgoszcz. They have participated jointly in some chamber competitions, achieving very high notes, among others, they have reached the final in the International Rubinstein Competition and qualified for this year's edition of the International Nielsen Chamber Competition. They have debuted at concerts with the laureate of the Chopin competition - Leonora Armellini, with whom had such great opportunity to give jointly the competition’s opening concert at one of the most prestigious chamber competition in Poland - Kiejstut Bacewicz international Chamber Music Competition in Łódź.
Lily Phee
A protégé of Mrs Rena Phua, Singaporean pianist Lily Phee gained her passion in music when she first kickstarted her journey in musical at the age of 5, and then formally at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
She is currently studying in the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków with Andrzej Pikul.
Some awards from her home country include First Prize at the Singapore International Youth Piano Competition, First Prize at the Singapore International Classical Piano Competition, Third Prize at the Cristofori Piano Competition, and Third Prize at the National Piano & Violin Competition. Additionally, she was awarded the title ‘Yamaha Artist’ as part of the ‘I Play Yamaha’ initiative in 2018.
Lily’s passion for music has also taken her abroad to Denmark, Russia, Hong Kong and Thailand where she performed in recitals and gained valuable exposures from competing. Her notable accomplishments from competing First Prizes at the Isaac Albéniz Summer Music Festival held in Camprodon, Spain, and Recondite Armonie III international Piano competition in Grosseto, Italy. In her latest achievements, she was granted a debut with the Częstochowa Philharmonic Orchestra through the ‘Gram z Orkiestrą’ competition organized by the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, and won Second Prize at the Faust Zadra International Piano Competition.
She has also attended masterclasses conducted by Prof Tamás Ungár, Grzegorz Niemczuk, Robert Winter and Kenneth Hamilton, Dina Parakhina, to name a few.
WARSAW GAMELAN GROUP
It is the first ensemble in Poland to present Javanese gamelan music. The group was formed in 2001 on the basis of a workshop ensemble operating at the Institute of Musicology at the UW. The group specializes in performing traditional Javanese (Karawitan Java) music, but its repertoire also includes works by contemporary composers (both Indonesian and Western). In addition, the group also performs performances of Javanese shadow theater wayang kulit.
WGG has given concerts in many cities in Poland, taking part in such events as the Toruń Festival of Science and Art, the Festival of Science in Warsaw, the Crossdrumming Festival - International Festival of Percussion Art in Warsaw, the International Percussion Festival “Sources and Inspirations” in Cracow, the Festival of World Cultures “Window on the World” in Gdańsk, Warsaw Autumn, Little Warsaw Autumn, and the Sonus Ex Machina Festival in Poznań. In addition, the band has also performed abroad (concerts in Prague), and several WGG musicians have also given concerts in Indonesia as part of joint projects with artists there.
Mauris Ensemble
Mauris Ensemble is an artistic initiative started in 2022 by three musicians: flautist Magdalena Di Blasi, violist Jan Czyżewski and harpist Adrian Nowak. The group's goal is to create its own musical language, which includes classical repertoire, improvised, experimental and electronic music, as well as a space allowing for intimate contact with the audience and other creators.
The band is constantly developing its activities, collaborating with many renowned artists and entities that expand the creative spectrum of musicians. Working under the supervision of, among others, Rita Costanzi - a world-renowned harpist, artist and actress, the band develops its repertoire, which results in many original projects such as LIQUID, which is a concert of classical and improvised music combined with electronic music and natural wine tasting.
The musicians of Mauris Ensemble are guided by their openness to new forms that go beyond the accepted norms of classical music. Collaboration with visual artists, work with movement and electronic music is the result of a jointly created idea and the individual needs of each Ensemble member.
Quintessence
The Quintessence ensemble is made up of musicians employed on a daily basis by three of the Warsaw’s leading orchestras: Warsaw Philharmonic, Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera and the Polish Royal Opera. All the artists have honed their skills and gained experience by studying at music universities in Poland and abroad. They have also participated in many international masterclasses. They perform both as soloists and chamber musicians and have won numerous prizes at national and international music competitions. In July 2023, the Quintessence wind quintet was awarded Third Prize at the 3rd International Polish Music Competition in Rzeszów. The ensemble was also awarded the prize for the best performance of a piece by Antoni Szałowski. Quintessence also performed during the concert accompanying the Coryphaeus of Polish Music Award gala in 2024, held at the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall. In March 2024, the ensemble participated in the International Conference on Woodwind Instruments at the Academy of Music in Poznań. In addition, members of the ensemble held masterclasses with students of the music academy. In December 2024, the quintet gave a concert at the Polish Institute in Bratislava with a programme that included works by Polish composers.
Adam Banaszak
Adam Banaszak has led over five hundred concerts and performances, as well as directed and collaborated on the preparation of close to fifty premieres.
It is Italian music from bel canto to verismo—The Barber of Seville, L’elisir d’amore, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Nabucco, Don Carlos, Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, Tosca, Cavalleria rusticana, I Pagliacci—that he finds particularly close to his heart. Keen performer of Mozart’s pieces (The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni), has also had to his credit a number of operatic performances of the very core of the genre (Eugene Onegin, Halka, Faust, Carmen).A prominent place in the conductor’s repertoire is taken by ballet performances (Giselle, Don Juan, The Nutcracker). Adam Banaszak has conducted premiere performances of operas by Paweł Mykietyn (The Magic Mountain) and Zygmunt Krauze (Yemaya, Queen of the Seas). He has also presented a number of less frequently staged works (Trouble in Tahiti by Bernstein, The Human Voice by Poulenc, Curlew River and The Burning Fiery Furnace by Britten).
The list of Adam Banaszak’s appearances includes Warszawska Jesień (The Warsaw Autumn) and Sacrum Profanum festivals, as well as philharmonic concerts in Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, Jelenia Góra, Kalisz, Koszalin, Łódź, Opole, Płock, Poznań, Szczecin, Wałbrzych, and Zamość. He has performed with Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra, as well as made recordings with the Polish Radio and Beethoven Academy ensembles. His concerts and performances have been broadcast live and rebroadcast on radio and television (“Kultura” Channel, “Polonia” Channel, Channel 2 of Polish Television; Channel 2 of Polish Radio, Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg, and others).
Holder of post-doctoral degree, Adam Banaszak is lecturer at the Vocal Performance Dept. of Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, and Principal Guest Conductor of Toruń Symphony Orchestra.
Previously Artistic Director of Wielki Theatre in Łódź, and Music Director of Music Theatre in Poznań, he has also conducted performances at Baltic Opera in Gdańsk, Krakow Opera, Silesian Opera in Bytom, Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic in Białystok, as well as at Warsaw Chamber Opera.
Sunjae Ok
Sunjae Ok was born in Seoul in 1998 and as a child his parents supported him with a lot of dedication to make his dream of a life as a violinist possible. He had a great passion for music and thanks to their support, he got the opportunity to study at Seoul Arts High School.
With some luck, he won several music contests in South Korea and got to know the well-known conductor Nanse Gum. Under him, Sunjae played over 100 concerts in the Incheon Orchestra for three years. Most of them were donation concerts for people in the hospital ward and their families. These concerts were a great experience and they contributed to an important part of his personality.
In 2017 Sunjae started studying with Prof. Tomaszewski at the UdK. His goal is to make others in bad conditions happy and it motivates him every time during my practice. In his studies, he always wants to do his best. He also wants to get to know German musicians and German culture better so that he can play and understand the music better. Through the music he wants to communicate with other people. Sunjae would like to contribute to the Korean and German society by organizing donation concerts.
In addition, he wants to attend several masterclasses and international competitions to broaden his perspective and realize his dream. Since studying at the UdK, Sunjae is grateful that he could learn new approaches to the interpretation of music and that he gained new experiences, such as attending numerous international concerts. He is still active in Europe. He often won first place in various Korean and international music competitions.
Carla Marrero Martinez
Spanish-born violinist Carla Marrero, currently based in Munich, Germany, is characterized by an unusual inner fire and brilliant technique. Other remarkable attributes include her being a charismatic speaker and skilled programmer, strongly engaging with her audience through moderated themed programs. She is a passionate solo performer, having played major violin concertos such as Brahms or Schumann in venues such as the Konzerthaus Berlin or the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid. Aside her solo career, Carla Marrero enjoys chamber music collaborations and founded her own ensemble, the Valor String Quartet. She also regularly performs with acclaimed violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter in her ensemble “Mutter’s Virtuosi”.
Recent performances include the European tour with Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Mutter's Virtuosi Ensemble, where Carla also performed as a soloist alongside the great violinist. Other highlights include her performances of Hindemith's Violin Concerto at the Weimarhalle in Weimar and the Brahms Violin Concerto with the the RTVE Symphony Orchestra (Spanisch National Radio Orchestra), which was broadcasted on national Spanish television.Other orchestras with which Carla Marrero has played with are the Festspielorchester Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and the Miami Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she has given concerts with, among others, Guidon Kremer, Christian Tetzlaff, Steven Isserlis and András Schiff.
She has won numerous prizes at international competitions, including 1st prize and the special orchestra prize at the Villa de Llanes International Violin Competition (2017) in Spain, and 2nd prize and two special prizes including the orchestra prize at the Mirecourt International Violin Competition (2016) in France. Other awards include the Manfred Grommek Prize (2021) and the Ana Chumachenco Prize (2017) of the Kronberg Academy.Carla Marrero studies since 2020 with Prof. Ana Chumachenco at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, Germany. In June 2021, she finished her Konzertexamen studies with the highest distinction at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar with Prof. Friedemann Eichhorn.
Wonbeen Chung
Wonbeen Chung was born in 1997 in Daejeon, South Korea. She completed her Bachelor's degree at the age of 21 with Prof. Mi-kyung Lee at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany and master's degree and postgraduate studies with Prof. Pierre Amoyal at the University Mozarteum Salzburg.
Currently she is doing Meisterklasse certificate program with Prof. Ingolf Turban at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany.
In 2015 she made recital debut in Korea at the Kumho Arthall as Kumho Young Artist. She was a prize winner at numerous national and international competitions, including the Postacchini International Violin competition in Italy (2nd prize, 2019), the International Violin Competition Henri Marteau in Germany (finalist, 2017) and 14th Carl Flesch International Violin Competition in
Hungary (6th prize and special prize, 2023).
In 2021-2022, she was selected as a scholarship recipient by Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Salzburg, and 2023 received funding provided by Sumi Jo through the Embassy of the Republic Korea in the Republic of Austria.
Radosław Kurek
„His exceptional musical sensitivity and piano skills combined with his ability to follow the composer’s vision make him an outstanding artist. His artistic flair and passion for music generate unforgettable performances full of drama and intensity…”
– Katarzyna Popowa – Zydroń – The Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz.
Since winning The Bridget Doolan Prize for the best performance of W. A. Mozart’s work at The International Piano Competition in Dublin and the top award at The Johannes Brahms International Competition in Pörtschach (with the cellist Georgiy Lomakov), Radosław Kurek is working intensively to increase his repertoire. He continuously improves his chamber music skills and presents his sensibility to the audience by performing well-thought-out piano recitals with repertoire ranging from classical period to contemporary music of the present day.
His strength as an artist lies in the extraordinary flexibility in co-operation with other musicians, he is highly valued as a partner in chamber music. The result of the meetings with various artists has been recorded with leading music producers such as GENUIN Classics, Bayerischer Rundfunk, ANAGRAM, The Fryderyk Chopin Institude, DUX, Soliton and BeArTon.
As both soloist and chamber musician Radoslaw Kurek has taken part in various music festivals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. He performed as a soloist with Wroclaw Philharmonic, Pomeranian Philharmonic, Baltic Philharmonic orchestras, Sinfonietta Cracovia and Capella Bydgostiensis appearing in numerous concert halls including Warsaw Philharmonic, Cracow Philharmonic Hall, Pomeranian Philharmonic Hall, Baltic Philharmonic Hall, Łódź Philharmonic Hall, The Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio in Warsaw, Malmö Live Konserthus, Gamle Logen Concert Hall in Oslo, Augustianum Auditorium in Roma, Festsaal in Vienna and Auditorium al Duomo in Florence. Radosław Kurek has performed with many numerous conductors as Jacek Kaspszyk, Jose Maria Florencio, Michał Nesterowicz and Jakub Chrenowicz. He also partnered renowned artists as Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Roman Jabłoński, Jadwiga Kotnowska; he cooperated with Robert Kabara, Wiesław Kwaśny and becoming widely known composer-performer Agata Zubel.
Among his other achievements are several awards in competitions in Indianapolis, Geneve, Munich, Terni, Shumen, Narva, Florence, Warsaw, Łódź, Wrocław, Gdańsk and Katowice.
Radosław Kurek mastered his piano and chamber music skills, learning from the leading artists such as Pavel Vernikov, Niklas Schmidt, Sebastian Hamman, Viera Nossina, John O ‘Conor, Ewa Pobłocka, Maja Nosowska and Szabolcs Esztenyi.
Radosław Kurek graduated with honours from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where he studied towards his MA degree in piano under the supervision of Prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń. Following his graduation in 2008, he worked as a teaching assistant at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. Since 2009, he has been a teaching assistant at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where in 2014 he was awarded his doctoral degree.
Bartłomiej Wezner
Bartłomiej Wezner is one of the most versatile pianists of his generation: a soloist, a chamber music instrumentalist, a teacher, and a promoter of culture.
Mr. Wezner is the winner of a number of international chamber music competitions: St Martin’s Chamber Music Competition (2011, London – 1st prize), 16 Premio Trio di Trieste (2015, Triest – 3rd prize), Academie de Musique de Lausanne (2015, Lausanne – laureate), the 50th International Vocal Competition ‘s-Hertogenbosch (2014, Holland – laureate of the Lied Duo category) as well as the 17th International Kiejstut Bacewicz Chamber Music Competition in Łódź (2010 – 3rd prize). He won the best pianist awards at the vocal competitions in Warsaw (2007), Katowice (2008), Łódź (2009), Sopot (2010), and Częstochowa (2013). As a soloist, he won the Special Prize at 6th International I.J. Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz (2004) as well as an Honorary Mention at the 15th International L. Janáček Piano Competition in Brno (2008, Czech Republic).
Born in Nysa in 1981, he graduated from the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz in the class of the piano taught by Professor Ewa Pobłocka (2006). In the years 2002–2004 he also studied under Professor Jerzy Sulikowski. At the same time he learned the harpsichord with Professor Urszula Bartkiewicz. In 2013 he completed his doctoral studies with the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, and, in 2019 habilitation. In 2020, started working at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz as a Professor as well as the dean of the Faculty of Piano Chamber Music.
Bartłomiej Wezner’s performing aesthetics has been influenced by master classes taught by such world-renowned artists as Maestro Janoš Starker, Stephen Kovacevich, Raphaël Pidoux (Wanderer Trio), Gregor Sigl (Artemis Quartet), Jean Paul Trio, Niklas Schmidt (Trio Fontenay), Clive Brown, Ewa Podleś, Urszula Kryger, Kevin Kenner, Maja Nosowska, Marcin Sikorski. He has performed with outstanding musicians: Vadim Brodski, Paweł Zalejski, Maria Machowska, Joanna Kreft, Jakub Jakowicz, Artur Rozmysłowicz, Magdalen Bojanowicz, Agata Schmidt, Ingrida Gápova, Anna Wilk, Ewa Leszczyńska.
He is the pianist and the founder of the following ensembles: BMF Piano Trio, Herbert Piano Trio, Surrealistic Five. Together with his father and his siblings they form a unique family quartet Wezner Ensemble. He has played in Poland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden, Greece, Germany, Serbia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Great Britain, Italy and the United States. As a soloist he has per- formed with Capella Bydgostiensis, the Toruń Symphony Orchestra, the Opole Philharmonic, the Lviv National Chamber Orchestra Akademia and the Bydgoszcz Philharmonics, among others.
In the past, he was the piano tutor at the Maestra Teresa Żylis-Gara Vocal Masterclass in the Radziejowice Palace (2008), Young Singers of Małopolska workshops ran by Professors Helena Łazarska and Zofia Kilanowicz in Nowy Sącz (2012), Thomas Hampson’s Masterclass at the Gorzów Philharmonic (2014) as well as the official pianist of the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th International Ada Sari Vocal Art Competition in Nowy Sącz (2011, 2013, 2015, 2019), the 9th International Stanislaw Moniuszko Vocal Competition in Warsaw (2016), International Karol Szymanowski Competition in Katowice (2018) and 4th International Karol Lipinski Violin Competition in Toruń (2019).
Mr. Wezner has been the recipient of the following scholarships from the following institutions: the Piano Texas Festival and Academy in Fort Worth (2006, USA), the International Dartington Summer School (2012, Great Britain), the Beethoven Haus in Bonn (2015, Germany) as well as the Marshall of the Kuyavyan-Pomeranian region (2011, 2012, 2017, 2020) and the Minister of Culture’s and National Heritage’s Young Poland scholarship (2012) and artistic scholarship (2021). He is also laureate of the Marshall of the Kuyavyan-Pomeranian Region Award in the field of Culture (2022) and the Artistic Award of President City of Bydgoszcz (2023).
The pianist is equally adept at the classical repertoire as well as the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. He has performed at world premier performances and recordings of compositions by Hanna Kulenty, Zbigniew Bargielski, Roxanna Panufnik, Marcin Masecki, Rafał Janiak, Michał Dobrzyński, Zygmunt Mycielski among others. Mr. Wezner’s concerts have been broadcast by „Dwójka” Polish Radio and RTS Suiss, among others. He has recorded for CdAccord, Dux, Sagittaria and Acte Préalable record labels.
Damy Polskiej Piosenki
We invite you to a unique concert dedicated to the icons of the female music scene in Poland.
“Damy Polskiej Piosenki” (“Ladies of Polish Song”) is a tribute to the unforgettable voices, charisma and creativity of female artists who have been shaping the musical sensitivity of several generations of listeners for years.
The group performing in the concert “Ladies of Polish Song” is an intimate composition with a rich, diverse sound, combining classical and modern.
Jan Gembala - the musical director of the project - creates a colorful palette of sounds, playing keyboard instruments: acoustic piano, organ, synthesizers and electric piano.
The bass guitar, Moog and double bass are played by multi-instrumentalist Michał Rybka, responsible for the harmonic foundation and groove of each arrangement.
The rhythm section is complemented by percussionist Michał Szubert, bringing a dynamic pulse and subtle percussion accents that enhance the emotional narrative of the concert
The whole is tied together by Joanna Kaczmarkiewicz - a vocalist with a charismatic voice, who sensitively interprets the songs of the great ladies of Polish song.
Marija Jelic
Marija Jelić is 31 years old soprano born in Belgrade. She continued to study with Nelson Calzi and Bruna Baglioni. In 2017, she auditioned for the Opera studio at the Belgrade National Theater, where she began to sing smaller and medium parts, and main roles in opera productions. She played Micaëla (Carmen) and Binički’s Stanka (At Dawn) at the Belgrade National Theatre, and Mimi (La Bohème), Aida (Aida) and Tosca (Tosca) at the Serbian National Theater in Novi Sad, Elizabeth (Don Carlo).
She performed at numerous concerts in Azerbaijan, Argentina, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Croatia and Slovenia.
At the Ljubljana Festival in 2021, she participated in a concert performance of Carmen with Elīna Garanča and Jonathan Tetelman and Karl Mark Chichon as the conductor, in Ohrid at the Gala concert on the opening of the 60th Ohrid Summer Festival, in Belgrade with Placido Domingo and the Symphony Orchestra of the Serbian Radio and Television in 2021, in Croatia with José Cura and at Plovdiv festival in Beethoven’s Symphony No.9. She also performed with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and maestro Sébastien Rouland and sang the role of Mimi in La Bohème at the Jerusalem Opera Festival (Israel). She played the same role in Estonia at the Narva Opera Festival. In Latvia, she sang with the Riga National Opera Orchestra at the Sigulda Opera Festival and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra. She was performing Elizabeth of Don Carlo at Plovdiv opera house.
In 2021, Marija held a solo concert at Carnegie Hall with pianist Anthony Manoli, and in 2022, she performed at Ohrid Summer Festival with Britten’s Illumination cycle.
In 2023, Marija was performing H. Gorecki Symhony No.3 with Belgrade Philharmonic orchestra and maestro Gabriel Feltz. She was performing Aida in Cairo opera house, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with Sofia Philharmonic orchestra, Aida in National opera in North Macedonia, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro in Opera Carolina in Charlotte (USA), Judith in Bartok’s Bluebeard castle in Narva opera festival (Estonia), gala opera concert with Toluca Philharmonic orchestra (Mexico) and Maddalena di Coigny in Andrea Chenier in Belgrade. In Seoul Marija was performing Mimi in (La Boheme) in Seoul Lotte concert hall. In 2024, Marija was performing with Sofia philharmonic orchestra and recording for publishing company Naxos Adolph Adam’s world premier of “Griseldis”. She was singing in Taipei Performing Arts Center with Taipei Symphony Orchestra Puccini’s opera La Boheme with role of Mimi. In 2024 among other concerts and performances, she was singing in gala concert for opening night of 75th season in Opera Carolina (USA), Tosca in National opera and ballet in North Macedonia, concert with ensemble “Umberto Giordano” at Camerata musicale Barese (Bari) and she had debut as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana in Heraklion cultural center (Greece) under baton of Maestro Myron Michailidis in December 2024.
She is president of International opera foundation founded in Belgrade (Serbia) and also Marija finished bachelor and master studies at Faculty of electrical engineering at University of Belgrade and currently she is PhD student on same faculty.
Marta Matalon
MARTA MATALON (mezzo-soprano) has a master’s degree in Lithuanian Music and Theater academy. As student she sang the role of Manja from I. Kallman operetta Mariza with Klaipeda State Music Theater. In 2009 she made her debut in Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater with role of Gianetta from G.Donizetti opera L’Elisir D’Amore.She has participated in several masterclasses including “Il Bel Canto Italiano” in Accademia Teatro alla Scala where she got scholarship (Milan) and ISA in Art and Music University (Vienna). Future engagements were Cherubino from W.A.Mozart opera Le Nozze di Figaro and Grimgerde by R.Wagner opera Die Walkure in Lithuanian opera and ballet theater. 2009-2013 Marta Matalon was singing in the projects of Lithuanian Nathional Philharmonic. 2013 Marta Matalon got Finalist Diploma in International Renato Bruson vocal competition in P.I.Tchaikovsky State Conservatory. In 2015also she made international opera debut with role of Cherubino from W.A.Mozart opera Le Nozze di Figaro at The New Israeli Opera (tour with LNOBT).Since 2020 Marta Matalon is soloist of JLO and performing with Jerusalem symphony orchestra. In her repertoire there are roles of Santuzza from P.Mascagni opera Cavalleria rusticana; Carmen from G.Bizet opera Carmen; Judith from B.Bartok opera The Blue-Bearded Dukes castle. In 2024 she made debut of role Amneris from G.Verdi opera Aida in Jerusalem Theater. She sang with famous conductors D.Rustioni , P.Lange, M.Pitrenas. She was part of productions which been staged by E.Sagi, E.Nekrosius, O.Korsunovas, N.Kuningas, Rocc. Marta Matalon sang in Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, Serbia, Israel.
Future debut: G.Verdi/ Requiem/ Mezzo-soprano part - with Nuremberg symphony orchestra in October 2025.
Dainius Pavilionis
Born in September 7, 1977. He has been studying choir conducting at the Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Conservatoire since 1992. In 1996 entered the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre where studied choir conducting with professor Povilas Gylys. Continued studying symphony orchestra and opera conducting with professor Juozas Domarkas. Graduated the Academy in 2006 and gained Master of Music (MA) degree.
The musical society took early notice of him: he has been invited to conduct two major symphony orchestras in Vilnius – the Lithuanian National Symphony and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestras. When graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2006, Dainius Pavilionis was invited to teach in his alma mater at the Department of Conducting. Since 2006 years he is the second conductor of The Guard of Honour Orchestra of the Lithuanian Army. Since 2010 years until 2015 years he was the Principal conductor of the Klaipeda State Musical Theatre. Since 2017 he is the Head of Symphony Conducting Department at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in Vilnius.
In October of 2006 he became the 3rd prizewinner at the 4th Witold Lutoslawsky International Competition for Young Conductors in Białystok (Poland).
In the year 2007 Dainius Pavilionis in the famous G. Fitelberg 8th International competition for conductors has been granted with the 6th prize.
The conductor gets invitations to conduct of different symphony orchestras in Poland , Portugal, Italy, Belarus.
Małgorzata Janek
Over the years, she has worked with some of the biggest artists on the Polish music scene, participating in album recordings and concert tours. With a song by Justyna Steczkowska, she won a year's edition of the TV talent show "Szansa na Sukces", which opened the door to many festivals, including in Opole, where she was repeatedly awarded. She received a scholarship from the International Art School Ærø folkehøjskole in Denmark. After participating in "The Voice of Poland" in 2014, she joined the team of one of the judges, with whom she recorded choruses and toured throughout Poland. Since 2014, she has been living in London. She is currently a member of the jazz band Alle Choir London, with whom she performed in the latest music show on BBC1 television, "The Pitch Battle" (2017). She is the vocalist of the blues improv duo Trip Advisors. In 2019, she co-founded the jazz ethnic group Wild Whispers (WW). After three years in collaboration with outstanding musicians from around the world, WW has taken on many colors.
"Night Garden with Wild Whispers", "Storytelling by Wild Whispers", "Jazzin' Towards the Stars", "Chopin off the Script"
In May 2022, she co-founded the charity organization "Wild Musos Art". On behalf of WMArt, she co-organized the London edition of the VOICINGERS ON TOUR '22 festival.
She does not stop developing and continues to expand her horizons, being open to the inspiration she draws from the surrounding reality, both material and spiritual.
Weronika Skalska
Singer and songwriter in love with music since... always.
She is a mixture of immense sensitivity with a large dose of exuberance and charisma. She dresses every note she sings with individuality.
As a soloist, she collaborates with many leading orchestras performing in Poland, as well as abroad, including twice visiting the United States on tour.
From 2020 to 2023 she fronted the group Funkylogic, with which she created her debut album “Above the Earth” which is a mix of funk, pop, soul. Veronika is constantly developing and helping others to develop - she shares the knowledge and experience she has gained over the years by supporting young students of vocal art.
She conducts a number of vocal workshops, and for years has been coordinating and conducting workshops as part of the popular “Our Talent” festival in cooperation with the Municipal Cultural Center in Myszków and the city of Myszków and the municipality of Łazy.
Kamil Franczak
Singer, actor, announcer. Winner of festivals and music awards. He made his debut in Opole in 2010 with the band Zero Percent, with which he released two albums and played hundreds of concerts between 2004 and 2013. In 2011-2012, he co-hosted the youth program “Level 2.0”, broadcast on TVP2. He made his theatrical debut in 2011, with the role of Moritz Stiefel in the musical “The Awakening of Spring” at the Teatr Rozrywki in Chorzów. Since then, he has played leading roles on this stage in musicals such as “The Producers,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “Cabaret.” For his role as Master of Ceremonies in the latter title, he received the 2019 Złota Maska Artistic Award. In 2022, under the pseudonym FRANKY, he released his first solo album titled “#lubiecie” (#ilikeyou), and the song “lustration” from it was awarded the Grand Prix at the XVIII Carpathia Festival in Rzeszów (2022). As of 2023, he plays the role of Brit in the musical “We will rock you” - the latest production of the Roma Musical Theater.
Maciej Rumiński
Filip Huget
Born in 1998, Filip Huget is a Conductor of the Polish Youth Symphony Orchestra, Guest Conductor of the Rozrywka Theatre and Conductor In Residence at the
Archetti Chamber Orchestra. From 2021 to 2022 he was Conductor In Residence at the Orkiestra Muzyki Nowej.
Huget has performed in Poland and abroad (Europe and USA). He has worked as a conductor with orchestras such as the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra , the Silesian Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Silesi an Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, the Mixed Choir and Symphony Orchestra of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music and E MTA Sinfonietta.
In March 2020, Filip Huget was awarded a distinction at the Adam Kopyciński 3rd National Competition for Students of Conducting in Wrocław, Poland.
Filip Huget has a master degree in symphonic and opera conducting, taught by Szymon Bywalec at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Andris Vecumnieks at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music and Arvo Volmer at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
For the past few years, he has also been taught by Marin Alsop, Zbigniew Graca, Mirosław Jacek Błaszczyk, Vello Pähn and Paul Mägi, among others.
