prof. dr hab. Renata Żełobowska-Orzechowska
Pianist, chamber musician, lecturer at the Academy of Music in Krakow. Graduate of the Academy in the piano class of Professor Ludwik Stefański. Laureate of the 12th F. Chopin Piano Scholarship Competition. She is involved in a broad range of concert-related activities domestically and abroad (Sweden, Italy, Austria, Korea) performing with renowned musicians such as Guy Deplus, Michael Wolf, Kaja Danczowska, Teresa Głąbówna, Dorota Imiełowska. Collaboration with leading vocalists such as Alison Pearce, Wiesław Ochman, Peter Dvorský, Mariusz Kwiecień, Alicja Węgorzewska, Joanna Woś, Urszula Kryger, Wioletta Chodowicz is an essential realm of her concert-related activities. She is invited to perform at the following festivals: The International Festival of Cracow Composers, „Wawel at Dusk” Festival, The International Clarinet Festival, „Music in Old Cracow” International Festival and The Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow. She has also recorded for the Polish Radio and Television, EMI and CD Accord record companies. Since 2005 she has been the musical director of a cycle of concerts for children held under the auspices of the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic in Krakow. She maintains strong relationships with musical institutions of the City of Krakow, with Capella Cracoviensis and the Krakow Opera among others. Since the year 2005 Renata Orzechowska has been involved in permanent collaboration with ARIA – the Association of Krakow Opera Lovers, where she performs in the „Meeting with the Artist” cycle. She also collaborates with the „Krakow Poetry Salon of Anna Dymna” organised under the aegis of Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Krakow. She was awarded the Silver Medal for Long Service by President of the Republic of Poland and National Education Committee Medal for outstanding contribution to education and upbringing as well as the „Honoris Gratia” Badge, granted by the Mayor of the City of Krakow.