Milena Kędra – piano

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Dr hab. Milena Kędra is a pianist, chamber musician, and educator whose artistic path has been shaped by outstanding pedagogues such as Andrzej Pikul, Piotr Paleczny, Halina Czerny-Stefańska, Jan Ekier, Maria Szmyd Dormus, and Karl Heinz Kammerling. During her studies, she completed an assistantship, collaborating with Prof. Adam Kaczyński, the founder of the Department of Contemporary Music at the Academy of Music in Krakow, and the founder of the legendary MW2 ensemble specializing in the performance of new music. Her artistic versatility and commitment to the development of Polish piano education are reflected in numerous achievements and projects.

As a professor at the Academy of Music in Krakow named after K. Penderecki, Milena Kędra shares her knowledge and experience with successive generations of pianists, inspiring them to invest in their development and search for their own artistic path. Her students and graduates receive awards and distinctions in national and international competitions, and successfully pursue their own artistic and educational endeavors.

She actively performs concerts in Poland and abroad, not only as a soloist but also as a chamber musician. She forms the Cracow Piano Duo with Michał Dziad. She also performs premieres of works by contemporary Polish composers.

Her involvement in organizational activities includes the creation and implementation of projects such as the “Krakow Young Pianists Festival,” the “National Piano Duet Competition Quattro Mani,” and the “National Piano Competition in honor of Irena Rolanowska.” She is also the originator and implementer of the “Summer Art Manufactory” project, which for six years contributed to the promotion of culture and support for the education of young talents in Niepołomice.

For 10 years, she was the president of the Małopolska Manufaktura Sztuki Association, where she co-created events such as the “Chamber Music Festival Music in Stare Balice,” the series of concerts “Bridges” featuring contemporary music, and interdisciplinary events combining music and visual arts – “Hebdowskie Meetings with Art.”

Currently, as a member of the Association of Polish Chamber Musicians, Milena Kędra continues her mission of popularizing music and supporting young talents, combining the roles of pianist, chamber musician, educator, and cultural activist. Her contribution to the promotion of Polish culture and music education has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Award of the Center for Artistic Education for outstanding contribution to the development of artistic education in Poland, the Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the distinction “Meritorious for Polish Culture,” and the Medal of the National Education Commission.