Piotr Wajrak

Prof. Dr. hab. Piotr Wajrak serves as Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Vocal and Acting at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz for the 2024-28 term, while also holding Senate membership and prior roles in university governance including the Council of Scientific Excellence. A renowned conductor, he has directed major productions at Poland's National Opera and international venues like Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

His academic credentials include:

• Graduation from PSM im. K. Lipiński in Lublin with distinction (1989)
• Conducting studies at Warsaw Academy of Music under Prof. Bogusław Madey (1994)
• PhD from Kraków Academy of Music on Feliks Nowowiejski's symphonic poems (2007)
• Habilitation from Gdańsk Academy of Music on Moniuszko's Halka (2015)
• Professorship awarded in 2021

Wajrak's research centers on interpretative conducting techniques, Polish musical heritage (particularly Moniuszko and Lutosławski), and innovative music education methodologies. His scholarly work manifests through artistic output including premiere recordings of Polish composers' works and multimedia educational projects commissioned by national ministries.

Artistic recognitions include:

• Gold and Platinum records for O sole mio album
• Energy of Culture award for The Haunted Manor performance
• The Golden Mask award for The Haunted Manor performance

As an academic supervisor, he has guided three doctoral dissertations and served as committee member in habilitation proceedings. His educational initiatives include co-organizing the "In modo di Lutosławski" program and conducting televised Opera Galas at national festivals.

Wajrak leads conducting classes, symphony orchestras, and opera ensembles at the Academy while maintaining active performance schedules with major Polish philharmonics and international collaborations.