Katarzyna Rajs

Prof. Katarzyna Rajs is a Professor at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where she has held various positions including faculty coordinator of the recruitment committee and chair of the Faculty Election Committee. She is an accomplished pianist and musicologist specializing in Polish musical heritage, particularly the works of Chopin and Roman Maciejewski.

Education:

• Graduated from the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz in piano performance under Prof. K. Popowa-Zydroń
• Postgraduate studies under Prof. J. Sulikowski
• Doctorate (2004) under Prof. K. Popowa-Zydroń
• Postdoctoral degree in art (2013)

Prof. Rajs' research focuses on Polish musical heritage with particular emphasis on Chopin's mazurkas and Roman Maciejewski's piano transcriptions. Her 2011 publication analyzes Maciejewski's reinterpretation of Chopin's idiom through musical poetics. Current projects involve restoring Maciejewski's piano works via partnerships with State Music Publishing House and CD Accord recording studio, aiming to reintroduce these compositions to global audiences.

Scientific and Artistic Awards:

• Performance awards: Festival of Russian and Soviet Music in Gdańsk, 3rd National IJ Paderewski Piano Competition, International M. Magin Piano Competition in Paris, 11th International Double Bass Competition (best chamber musician)
• Academic honors: Medal for Merit in Culture (2010), Rector's Award second degree (2013)

Advising and Professional Service:

Prof. Rajs mentors award-winning students including Rafał Błaszczyk (Polish team member for International F. Chopin Piano Competition). Her students have secured victories at National F. Chopin Piano Competitions (2011, 2015) and international events in Vietri sul Mare (2010) and Cantu (2014). She regularly serves on piano competition juries and doctoral/postdoctoral committees while leading institutional administrative functions.

Collaborations: Key partnerships with State Music Publishing House and CD Accord recording studio drive her current work restoring Roman Maciejewski's piano transcriptions to international prominence.