Leszek Sokołowski

Leszek Sokołowski serves as a Visiting Professor at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk within the Faculty of Instrumental Studies. He concurrently holds a full professorship at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, teaching double bass at the Faculty of Instrumental and Pedagogical Studies in Białystok, while also performing as first-voice double bassist with the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic.

Education:

• State Secondary Music School in Białystok (double bass studies under Ryszard Kukiełka)
• Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Białystok Branch (graduated 1985 under Professor Andrzej Mysiński)
• Master class in Salzburg with Klaus Stoll (principal double bassist of Berlin Philharmonic)

Specializing in Double Bass Performance and Chamber Music, Professor Sokołowski maintains an active performance career collaborating with ensembles including the Camerata Quartet, Aleksander Tansman Quartet, and Polish Quartet of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. His pedagogical approach emphasizes technical mastery and interpretative depth in classical repertoire.

Honors:

• Gloria Artis medal for cultural contributions
• Professor of Musical Arts title awarded by Polish President (April 2009)

Academic Mentorship:

Professor Sokołowski has cultivated exceptional talent through rigorous training, producing award-winning students including:

• Bartosz Sikorski (principal double bassist, Wiener Philharmoniker)
• Karol Cieśluk (principal double bassist, Oslo Opera House)

His students frequently secure positions in the European Union Youth Orchestra and Alfred Smoczyk Orchestra, while he regularly serves on juries for international double bass competitions.

Artistic Leadership:

Founder and director of the 'Sinfonia Academica' chamber orchestra, and artistic director for the 'Music in the Old Church' festival and 'Concerts with History' series at Białystok's Podlasie Museum. He conducts master classes in Łańcut, Kołobrzeg, and Opole.