French-born, Polish-raised star pianist Dr. Graciella Kowalczyk has appeared in concerts and recitals as a soloist in over fifteen countries. From early appearances personally connected to Chopin at his birthplace, Żelazowa Wola, her performances include the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland; Sergei Rachmaninov Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia; Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria; Bellini Conservatory in Palermo, Italy; Kölner Philharmonic in Köln, Germany; Ed Landreth Auditorium in Fort Worth, TX and further across North and South America and Asia. Her students continue to win prizes and accolades across the United States.
She has won top prizes in many competitions all over the world, and was the recipient of awards from the Louis-Spohr Forderverein, Germany; Internationale Stiftung fur Music, Switzerland; Lili Kraus Scholarship, Fort Worth, TX, and Mu Phi Epsilon, International Music Fraternity, Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Musical Club, Kansas City, MO., and received her doctorate in piano performance from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Kowalczyk has studied with many of the greatest pianists and musicians of our time including D.Bashkirov, R.Buchbinder, S.Dorenski, J.Feghali, R.Goode, S.Ioudenitch, N.Lugansky, H.Martina, D.Mirska, W.Nabore, P.Nersessian, J.Owings, A.Pisarev, J.Perry, E.Pridonoff, Z.Zohar, and J.Winerock.
Recent highlights include cooperation with modern composers including an award-winning recording of fugues and postludes by Canadian-Armenian composer Ashot Ariyan available on the RMN Classical label. She is also the Director of the exclusive Autumn Artist Interactive, an intensive Nashville-area crossover camp for pop and country artists with vocal superstar coach Brett Manning and legendary guitarist Mario DaSilva. In addition to her roles as President of the Board and Artistic Director of the Nashville International Chopin Piano Competition, jury chairman of the NICPC, and Director of Music City Chopin, she maintains a very active performance schedule as soloist, including numerous upcoming engagements in Europe, South America, and Asia with orchestra. Graciella is also the Artistic Director of the Chopin in Cyprus International Music Festival featuring some of the greatest Chopin interpreters of our time.
In her spare time, Graciella volunteers in her community by giving free piano lessons and helping students thrive.