dr hab. Gracjan Szymczak

He graduated from the Academy of Music in Wrocław in the classes of Prof. G. Kurzyński (piano), Prof. L. Grzanka-Urbaniak (cello), and Prof. M. Pijarowski (conducting), receiving a diploma with honors in each specialty. In 2012, he obtained his doctorate, and in 2019, his postdoctoral degree in musical arts. He is a laureate of over 40 national and international piano competitions. He has received, among others: the Special Prize for a pianist distinguished by musicality at the 15th International F. Chopin Competition in Warsaw (2005); the Grand Prix at the 13th M. Magin International Piano Competition (Paris, 2009) and Third Prize at the International Chopin Competition (Canberra, Australia, 2011).

He is also a laureate of dozens of national music festivals. He has received numerous scholarships from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Mayor of Wrocław, and the Piotr Kler Foundation. He has recorded for Polish Radio and TVP. His artistic achievements include six solo CDs. He is very active as a concert performer and has appeared in many cities in Poland, as well as in Germany, Scotland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, China, and Australia.

In 2012, he began working at his alma mater, where he has been employed as an assistant professor since 2015 and has served as vice dean of the Instrumental Department since 2020. As a teacher, he is often invited to conduct piano courses and to sit on the jury of piano competitions. In 2019, he was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit.