Dr hab. Krzysztof Arcimowicz, Professor at the University of Białystok, is a sociologist of culture specializing in critical discourse analysis of media. He works at the Institute of Contemporary Cultural Studies and Film, focusing on masculinity, family dynamics, and gender representation in television series and cultural texts. PhD in Humanistic Sciences (2002), University of Białystok Habilitated Doctor in Social Sciences (2014), University of Warsaw His research explores evolving gender norms in Polish media, analyzing how masculinity ideals shift in soap operas, neoserials, and advertising. Recent publications examine hybrid masculinity in global series and symbolic roles of consumer objects in family structures. He has contributed to international research projects on gender equality and family roles, including EU-funded initiatives like EQUAL. His interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, anthropology, and media studies.
Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in GdańskPoland
Aleksandra Dąbrowska is a pianist, vocalist, composer, and author of music and lyrics employed as an assistant at the Faculty of Vocal Performance and Acting at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. She graduated from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where she studied piano under Professor Andrzej Artykiewicz and Professor Maciej Gański. In 2011/2012, she honed her skills at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in the class of Professor Joan Havill. As a versatile musician, her artistic interests span piano performance, vocal accompaniment, and composition. She has performed extensively for international audiences in France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Australia at prestigious venues including the Baltic Philharmonic, National Philharmonic, and London's Barbican Hall. Her achievements include numerous national and international competition wins, with particular recognition for her piano artistry and collaborative work with vocalists. Grand Prix of the Val Tidone Competition in Italy Two-time winner of the International Music Competition Laureate of the J. Zarębski Academy of Music in Łomianki Only Polish laureate of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute Award in Brussels Best Student Award at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk Distinction in the Student Nobel 2014 competition Dąbrowska has received multiple scholarships from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Mayor of Gdańsk, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, and the Minister of Science and Higher Education. Since 2013, she has actively collaborated with Polish Radio Channel 3 as a pianist, composer, and vocalist in performances and music programs. In January 2019, she was accepted as a pianist-accompanist into the prestigious Opera Academy program at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw. She has collaborated with renowned musicians including Lee Kum Sing, Tigran Alikhanov, Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, and Paul Lewis.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in PoznańPoland
Dr. Alina Kubik serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Composition and Music Theory within the Faculty of Composition and Music Theory at Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań. Her academic career spans over 15 years with active engagement in both artistic and scholarly pursuits across Poland and internationally. Her research interests focus on the intersection of textual and musical elements in contemporary composition, with particular emphasis on opera, vocal music, and improvisation techniques. She explores semantic relationships between poetry and music, rhetorical structures in Baroque compositions, and innovative approaches to chamber music performance. Her scholarly work bridges historical analysis with contemporary compositional practices. Dr. Kubik's artistic output demonstrates significant contributions to contemporary Polish music, with compositions performed at major festivals including Poznań Musical Spring, Wrocław Marianum Festival, and international venues in Israel, Italy, and Austria. Her academic presentations at conferences across Europe reflect her dual expertise in composition and musicology. Honorable mention for Divertimento for string orchestra (Penderecki Competition, 2017) 1st Prize in Sfogato Festival Composers' Competition (2017) Laureate of Zygmunt Mycielski Composers' Competition (2014) Finalist of T. Baird Young Composers' Competition (2012) Multiple awards for children's musical projects from Centre for Children's Art in Poznań She has supervised student improvisation ensembles and mentored young composers through the Young Composers Circle of the Polish Composers' Union. Her international collaborations include masterclasses at Conservatori Superior de Música de les Illes Balears (Spain) and Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias, along with academic partnerships with institutions in Bari, Italy. Dr. Kubik maintains active involvement in both academic and artistic communities through conference presentations, festival participation, and educational initiatives including lectures for University of the Third Age at Poznań University of Economics.
Cezary Szyfman is a distinguished Professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, where he serves as Head of the Department of Vocal Pedagogy under the Faculty of Instrumental-Pedagogy, Music Education and Vocal Studies. He also holds a professorship at the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Warsaw. Education: Secondary State Music School in Białystok (under W. Bieniecka) Vocal and Acting Department, Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (studied with Michał Szopski and Prof. Kazimierz Pustelak) His career spans music education, historical performance practice, and interdisciplinary theatre collaborations. A specialist in vocal pedagogy and early music, he has advanced teaching methodologies for young musicians while maintaining an active performance schedule across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Scientific Awards: Rector's Awards (1st and 2nd degree) Medal of the National Education Commission Honorary Badge of Merit for Polish Culture Silver Cross of Merit Multiple Fryderyk Awards for vocal chamber music and early music phonographic achievements Szyfman has organized international vocal seminars, led opera productions by Białystok Branch students, and directed the National Scientific and Teaching Conference 'Challenges of Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy'. As a juror at the Schola Cantorum Festival and frequent workshop leader, he shapes national standards in historical music interpretation.
Prof. Dr. hab. Dorota Heck is a distinguished academic at the University of Wrocław, affiliated with the Institute of Polish Philology. She holds a professorship and has made significant contributions to literary criticism, history, and theory of literature. Her research focuses on literary anthropology, rhetoric, and Polish studies, with a particular emphasis on Polish essayism and the works of notable authors like Józef Mackiewicz and Stanisław Lem. She has authored over 270 scholarly publications and edited numerous volumes, including works on cultural interactions and chaos theory in literature. Heck has received multiple awards, including Rector's Awards from the University of Wrocław and a distinction from the Józef Mackiewicz Literary Award. She has also held visiting scholarships at Cambridge Colleges. Her academic journey includes a PhD under Wojciech Głowala and studies in classical philology.
Dagmara Walkowicz-Goleśny is a Lecturer at the Scenography Studio and technical manager at the Silesian Opera. She holds a degree from the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, where she completed her painting diploma under Prof. Jacek Rykała and an additional scenography diploma under Dr. Katarzyna Sobańska and Dr. Marceli Sławiński. Her work focuses on production design for theatre and film, blending artistic creativity with technical execution. Her research interests include the intersection of visual arts and performance design, leveraging both traditional and modern techniques. As a teacher, she contributes to the academic development of students in scenography while actively engaging in real-world projects through her role at the Silesian Opera.
Professor Prot Jarnuszkiewicz is a prominent figure in visual arts, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Media Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (2016–2020). His dual practice spans Art Photography and Theatre Lighting/Video Projections Design. He leads the Visual Relations Studio, whose graduates have gained national recognition. Awards include four Rector’s Awards (including the prestigious Pegasus Award) and the 2016 Bronze Medal Gloria Artis. Education: Master’s in Cinematography from Leon Schiller National Academic School of Film, Łódź Key Collaborations: Teatr Wielki (Polish National Opera), Rozmaitości Theatre, Nowy Theatre Poznań, Juliusz Słowacki Theatre Kraków Research focuses on interdisciplinary visual arts, with over 40 theatre lighting designs since 2007 and dozens of international exhibitions. Publications include three monographs and works in museum collections worldwide. Awards reflect his contributions to academic and artistic innovation, bridging fine art practices with theatrical performance design.
Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in BydgoszczPoland
Anna Wilk serves as an Adjunct Professor at Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz within the Vocal and Acting Department. She maintains an active international performance career spanning Poland, Austria, Spain, and Italy while contributing to vocal education. Her academic foundation includes graduating with distinction from the Vocal and Acting Department of Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz under Prof. Hanna Michalak. Additional training encompasses a vocal scholarship at Istituto Superiore di Musicali "Achilles Peri" in Reggio Emilia with Prof. Mauro Trombetta and Rosa Riciotti, supplemented by master classes with S. Kopčák, S. Meredith, T. Żylis-Gara, H. Łazarska, and Eva Blahová. Specializing in vocal performance and opera interpretation, Professor Wilk excels in both historical and contemporary repertoire. Her expertise spans dramatic soprano roles in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta and Mozart's The Magic Flute , operetta in Lehar's The Merry Widow , and oratorio works including Tabęcki's Narvik and Verdi's Messa da Requiem , demonstrating exceptional versatility across classical genres. Her distinguished competitive achievements include: 2007: Distinction and special award at National Golden Voices of Mazovia Competition 2008: Special opera category award at Halina Słoniowska Vocal Competition 2009: 3rd prize at Inter-University Competition "In the Circle of Slavic Music" 2009: Distinction and Mozart aria award at Ada Sari Vocal Art Competition Professor Wilk actively collaborates with leading Polish ensembles including Capella Bydgostiensis, Podkarpacka Philharmonic, and Szczecin Philharmonic, while performing at major festivals such as Jan Kiepura Festival and Sopot Classic Festival across international venues.
Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in GdańskPoland
Małgorzata Skorupa is a Professor at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, Poland. She graduated from the Academy with a specialization in violin under Prof. Henryk Keszkowski and further refined her skills through international performance courses in Austria, Italy, and Hungary. Her career spans roles as a concertmaster, soloist, and chamber musician, with notable collaborations including the Baltic Opera and Trio Sopot. She also teaches at the General Primary and Secondary Music School in Gdańsk and has served on juries for over 30 national and regional music competitions. Education: First-degree (1996) and second-degree (2002) qualifications from the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. Her research and artistic practice focus on violin performance, contemporary Polish music, and chamber ensemble work. She has premiered numerous compositions by Polish creators and contributed to recordings for Polish Radio and albums by composers like Grzegorz Wieczorek and Krzysztof Olczak. Skorupa held the position of Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk from 2016 to 2019, demonstrating leadership in academic administration.
Prof. Dr. Hab. Robert Cieśla is a distinguished Polish vocal professor and opera singer affiliated with the Faculty of Vocal and Acting at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw . He also collaborates with Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University and the University of Rzeszów. Graduated with distinction from Chopin Academy (1988) Habilitated at Łódź Academy of Music (2005) Awarded the title of Professor of Musical Arts by President Bronisław Komorowski (2013) His research focuses on vocal performance, breathing techniques in opera, and interdisciplinary applications of music in clinical psychology. He developed a rehabilitation program for coronary heart disease patients using vocal exercises. Prof. Cieśla's students have won international awards in Lucca (Italy), Szczecin (Poland), Paris (France), Valencia (Spain), and Cremona (Italy). Notable achievements include 1st prizes at the Cavalli-Monteverdi Baroque Opera Competition and Vivaldi International Music Competition. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Vocal and Acting (2020-2024) and was elected Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (2024-2028). His artistic supervision includes productions at Sudecka Philharmonic and Rome's Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia. Scientific awards include: Medal of Merit for Polish Culture (2015) Rector's Grand Prix Award (2020) Gloria Artis Award (2020) Rector's Award of the First Degree (2021)
Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in GdańskPoland
Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf is an Associate Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk and the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. He holds a PhD and habilitation, specializing in viola performance and contemporary music interpretation. His academic career began at age 24 after winning assistant professor competitions. He has performed globally with major orchestras like the National Philharmonic, Gdańsk Baltic Opera, and international festivals including Berliner Philharmonie and Vienna Konzerthaus. He completed postgraduate studies in Culture Management and MBA at Adam Mickiewicz University. Notable awards include the Bronze Medal for Merit to Culture (Gloria Artis), Opus Klassik nomination, and Fryderyk Award recognition. His discography includes acclaimed albums like ReVIOLAtion (NAXOS) and Quantum of Silence (ODRADEK). As an educator, he teaches at three institutions and mentors over 40 students, many of whom hold positions in leading orchestras and music schools. He actively engages in masterclasses across Europe and North America, and leads initiatives like the EURO Chamber Music Festival. His research focuses on Baroque to contemporary viola repertoire, with publications in the Journal of the American Viola Society.
Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in GdańskPoland
Maciej Gański is an accomplished Polish pianist and educator currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at the Piano Department of the Faculty of Instrumental at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. He has been actively teaching since 2009 and served as Dean of the Instrumental Department from 2020 to 2022. His academic journey began with distinguished studies at the same institution under Professor Andrzej Artykiewicz, followed by prestigious postgraduate studies at the Danish National Academy of Music under Professor Christina Bjørkøe. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from the Gdańsk Academy, with his doctoral thesis focusing on 'Transkrypcje pieśni i oper w twórczości Ferenca Liszta' (Transcriptions of Songs and Operas in the Works of Franz Liszt). Dr. Gański specializes in both classical and contemporary piano repertoire, with particular expertise in Franz Liszt's transcriptions and 20th-21st century works. His research interests encompass historical performance practice, particularly regarding period pianos, as demonstrated by his 2021 recital on the restored oldest Gdańsk piano from the 1830s/1840s. He has pioneered the performance of contemporary Polish compositions, including the Polish premiere of Miłosz Magin's IV Piano Concerto and the world premiere recording of Kamil Cieślik's Piano Concerto No. 1 'Multimirrors'. His scholarly output reveals a distinctive trajectory bridging historical performance practice with cutting-edge contemporary music. The progression from his Liszt transcriptions research through to his groundbreaking recordings of Philip Glass's complete Etudes demonstrates an evolving scholarly focus that connects 19th-century traditions with modern minimalist aesthetics. His work consistently emphasizes technical mastery while exploring the interpretative possibilities across diverse musical eras. Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition in New York (USA) Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Scholarship Award Competition in Aarhus (Denmark) Multiple National Piano Competitions in Poland City of Gdańsk's Award for Young Artists in the Field of Culture Awards in two categories of the 2nd International 'Musical Eagles' Competition (2022) As an educator, Dr. Gański has mentored numerous students who have gone on to win awards at international and national competitions, with dozens of his piano class graduates now teaching at music institutions across Poland. His pedagogical approach combines rigorous technical training with deep musical understanding, developed through collaborations with renowned musicians including Philippe Entremont, Eugen Indjic, Andrzej Jasiński, and Lee Kum-Sing. His international masterclass activities, particularly in China, demonstrate his commitment to global musical exchange and the advancement of piano education worldwide. Dr. Gański maintains active performance collaborations with major orchestras including the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, and La Camerata Sa Nostra. His recording projects with DUX and other labels represent significant scholarly contributions to the piano repertoire, particularly his documentation of historically significant instruments and contemporary Polish compositions.
Dr. Ewa Maria Śmigielska is a contemporary sculptor and installation artist working at the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Born in Warsaw in 1987, she completed her studies with distinction at the Faculty of Sculpture, specializing in Audiovisual Space Studio under Professor Grzegorz Kowalski. In 2019, she earned her PhD in visual arts and conservation of works of art from the same institution. Her artistic practice spans drawing, sculpture, video, installation, and scenography, with a focus on cross-cultural dialogues between Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Her research interests revolve around cultural and formal syncretism , often emerging from postcolonial critique. Śmigielska's work integrates elements referencing various cultures, temporal orders, and sensory experiences, juxtaposing emblems of Far Eastern culture with raw materials associated with contemporary urban aesthetics. Her installations create performative spaces that invite viewer participation, emotional engagement, and transformative experiences. She explores themes of spiritual transformation, urban identity, and the intersection of traditional symbolism with modern materials like mirrors, neon signs, and sheet metal. Śmigielska's recent artistic output demonstrates consistent exploration of sound installations and participatory art, with her 2024 exhibition 'Phoenix Mantra' representing the culmination of these interests. This sound installation, featuring music by Wojtek Blecharz, transforms space into a ritual journey toward spiritual renewal, connecting viewers with historical contexts of Warsaw's Wawelberg Colony. Her work shows a clear trajectory from earlier explorations of Chinese mythology in 'Follow the Dragon' (2021) toward more complex multisensory environments that bridge cultural divides. Scholarship from ZAiKS (Fundusz Popierania Twórczości Stowarzyszenia Autorów ZAiKS) As an educator and cultural ambassador, Śmigielska has served as a lecturer at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in China, fostering Polish-Chinese artistic understanding. She has curated numerous exhibitions both in Poland and internationally, demonstrating strong organizational skills and cross-cultural communication abilities. Her collaborative work with composer Wojtek Blecharz on projects like 'Transkryptum' and 'Phoenix Mantra' highlights her interdisciplinary approach and ability to secure artistic partnerships. Śmigielska actively participates in artistic collectives like Inne Towarzystwo in Warsaw, which provides alternative exhibition spaces for experimental work. Her current projects at the Open Colony in Wola demonstrate engagement with community-based art practices and historical memory, transforming urban spaces into sites of collective healing and cultural dialogue. Her work with the Polish Sculpture Center in Orońsko shows institutional collaboration that supports large-scale artistic production.
Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in BydgoszczPoland
Wojciech Michniewski is a distinguished Polish conductor and composer, currently serving as a professor of conducting at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. He has held significant leadership roles including Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre in Łódź (1979-1981) and General and Artistic Director of the Poznań Philharmonic (1987-1991). Since 1991, he has performed globally as a guest conductor with major orchestras and opera houses including the National Philharmonic, Sinfonia Varsovia, and Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. He graduated with distinction from the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw, studying conducting under Stanisław Wisłocki and composition with Andrzej Dobrowolski. Michniewski's artistic focus lies in contemporary classical music, especially Polish compositions. He is celebrated for premiering works by composers such as Tadeusz Baird, Elżbieta Sikora, and Paweł Mykietyn. His innovative approach is exemplified by his award-winning composition "Whispertet" (1973) and his leadership in transforming the Polish Chamber Orchestra into Sinfonia Varsovia. His accolades include: Premio RAI award for "Whispertet" (1975) First Prize and Gold Medal at the Guido Cantelli International Conducting Competition (1977) Bronze medal at the Ernesto Ansermet Competition (1978) Orpheus Critics' Award at Warsaw Autumn Festival (1975) Critics' Award at Musikbiennale Berlin (1987) Fryderyk Award for Lutosławski album (1996) Fryderyk Award for Rossini's gala concerto (1999) Orpheus Award for "Madame Curie" DVD (2013) Jubilee Award of the Polish Composers' Union (2005) Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2005) While specific student names are not provided in source materials, Michniewski maintains an active role in mentoring conductors at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. His extensive discography and festival participations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas reflect sustained artistic funding and institutional support.
Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in BydgoszczPoland
Justyna Woś serves as an Assistant Professor at Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where she combines pedagogical responsibilities with active performance as a harpsichord specialist in early music. Her institutional affiliation centers on advancing baroque performance practice through both teaching and artistic production. Her academic training includes: Graduate studies at Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw under Professor Władysław Kłosiewicz Erasmus program at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig with Nicholas Parle and Tobias Schade Supplementary studies at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel under Andrea Marcon Dr. Woś's research focuses on historical authenticity in baroque interpretation, emphasizing period instrument performance and revival of neglected repertoire. Her work bridges scholarly rigor with practical musicianship, particularly through collaborations with ensembles like Arte Dei Suonatori and performances on original 300+ year-old instruments at venues including Leipzig's Grassi Museum. This dedication positions her at the forefront of contemporary early music revival movements in Central Europe. Her artistic contributions have been recognized through competitive funding: Kazimierz Bartkowiak Foundation scholarship Multiple top doctoral student scholarships Rector's scholarship from her home institution Mayor of Bydgoszcz cultural grant enabling the "Duelli Barocchi" concert series Dr. Woś leverages institutional support to drive cultural initiatives, notably organizing the Bydgoszcz Baroque Scene festival while maintaining international performance engagements. Her scholarship from city authorities directly facilitated innovative programming that bridges academic research with public concert experiences, demonstrating effective grant utilization for community engagement. She maintains active artistic partnerships with major institutions including Pomeranian, Częstochowa, and Kraków Philharmonics, and participates in specialized ensembles focused on historical performance. Her role extends beyond performance to festival curation, evidenced by her position on the Bydgoszcz Baroque Scene organizing team where she shapes programming that connects academic research with public audiences.
