Today we’d like to introduce you to Katarzyna Cieslik.
Katarzyna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Białystok, Poland, during the communist era, in a home shared with my sister, parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. I had a joyful childhood filled with long hours in the garden and music everywhere. I was always singing—so much so that my great grandmother lovingly called me her “little nightingale.”
There was an old black piano in our home that held a special place in family life. My mother and her sister had both been required to study piano as children, though my mother often preferred sneaking off to the cinema instead of practicing. For my sister and me, the piano doubled as a hiding place for small treasures. We loved to sit at the keyboard, inventing our own melodies.
When we started school, children with a good ear and sense of rhythm were selected for further training at the state music school. Both my sister and I were chosen. Since she decided to study piano, I was drawn to something different. The violin fascinated me. I still remember the first time I saw one—my mother later told me I was trembling with excitement.
That moment marked the beginning of my life in music. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my grandmother, whose dedication made everything possible. She took my sister and me to music lessons every day after school. Without her commitment and belief in us, my path might have been very different.
I went on to earn a Master’s degree in violin performance and pedagogy in Poland. During my studies, I began playing with our regional symphony orchestra, the Bialystok Philharmonic, an experience that became my career for more than twenty years. The orchestra has always felt like my favorite “instrument”— a place where individual voices come together to create something greater. While there is room for personal expression, orchestral music also teaches you how to listen, adapt, and co create within the conductor’s vision.
When my son was born, I wanted him to understand and appreciate the musical world that shaped my life. He began his own musical education without any expectations of him becoming a professional. I am deeply grateful that this love for music became his passion as well—today, he is a professional oboist.
Since moving to the United States in 2015, I have been able to bring together my love for the violin, orchestral playing, and teaching. The early years were not easy, but I am thankful for where I am now. I look forward to continuing to share my experience, knowledge, and love of music with younger generations and with my community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Moving to the United States from Poland was a major cultural and structural shift. It was never something I had planned—my husband was offered a one year contract at the University of Miami, and we saw it as an exciting adventure for our family. At the time, I had no idea the move would become permanent.
After deciding to stay, I faced a great deal of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to continue my career as a musician at all. As a teacher, I also had to navigate significant differences between the educational systems in Poland and the U.S., which took time and patience to understand. My English was quite limited at that time. I remember going to my first job interview feeling both nervous and determined. Later, I worked at a school and even took an office position, challenging myself daily to communicate, learn, and adapt. Those early experiences pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, but they also strengthened my resilience and confidence. Gradually, I began to build a network. I found students, performed in concerts, and slowly created a sense of belonging in Miami. Today, I am grateful to be able to combine orchestral playing, chamber music, and teaching, continuing to grow both as a musician and as an educator.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I perform with local orchestras, run a private violin studio, and teach violin and ensemble classes at the Preparatory Department of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. where over the past few years I have managed as coordinator to build a string orchestra program as well as an advanced chamber program.
Collaboration is at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I strongly encourage students to play together—whether in duos, trios, or larger ensembles. Even during the pandemic, we found ways to keep making music. Students recorded individual parts that we later combined into ensemble performances, and when possible, we rehearsed outdoors while maintaining distance on the university lawn.
Many of my students have been with me since their very first musical steps, and watching them grow has been incredibly rewarding. This passion for collaboration led to the creation of the Advanced Chamber Program at the Frost Preparatory Department, which was launched this year with great success.
I also believe deeply in sharing music beyond the classroom. I seek out opportunities for students to perform in the community—whether in hospital lobbies or schools for children with autism. Even if music does not become their profession, these experiences help shape them into more sensitive, empathetic human beings.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is bringing people together—whether to make music or simply to listen. I love organizing concerts at home for friends, helping with the festival my husband organizes in Miami, and preparing intimate performances and masterclasses for my students. Creating these musical spaces, where people can connect and share meaningful experiences, is deeply fulfilling for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardentka73/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katarzyna.cieslik.9
