Natalia Jarząbek Artist Interview
Natalia Jarząbek created her own version of the Circular Breathing technique on the Flute. Natalia graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Kraków in the class of Prof. Dr h.c. Barbara Świątek – Żelazna and was a student of Hochschule für Musik in Weimar in the class of Prof. Wally Hase. She also graduated from the Jagiellonian University with master degree in mathematics. Currently she is a principal flutist of the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra, PhD student at the Academy of Music in Kraków and an orchestral excerpts teacher at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. Since 2022 Natalia is an Artist of Miyazawa Flutes.
Can you give us 5 career highlights?
- Won the British Flute Young Artist Competition 2015 and obtained the 2nd price at The Dutch Flute Competition 2015
- Acquired a position of the principal flutist at the Kraków Philharmonic (2018) and started to teach at the Academy of Music in Katowice, meanwhile completed the PhD degree
- Invented and became the owner of the Infinity Project-circular breathing, which led to the publishing of the solo CD - "Infinity" and release of the student-book about the circular breathing. The publication won the 1st prize in the NFA, competition of Newly Published Music- pedagogical work (2022)
- Became a Miyazawa Artist
- Organised the first edition of the Tarnovia Flute Summer
How about 3 pivotal moments that were essential to creating the artist that you've become?
- Studying in Krakow under the supervision of prof. Barbara Świątek-Żelazna, excellent teacher and well known flutist.
- Taking part in Wibb’s Summer Schools - they were one of the most open-minded masterclasses which I experienced
- Acquired the knowledge how to use the circular breathing technique (during daily practice) and started development of this skill . It changed my way of phrasing and gave me stability and faith in my abilities in stressful situations.
What do you like best about teaching?
That the knowledge and experience I’ve got might be useful for somebody else.
What do you like best about performing?
I love the feeling of creating a special atmosphere and the beauty which disappears as soon as it’s being created. They are special, metaphysical moments that can touch the deepest areas of your personality.
CD releases?
My most important is CD Infinity and 3 CD’s of my woodwind quintet with Polish music.
What does your schedule look like for the next 6 months?
We are finishing out the philharmonic season, exams at university, then we have the Tarnovia Flute Summer. Then finally some holidays and a free time for the family myself.
What are your goals personally?
To build a beautiful family and to raise a child in safety, with a good moralism and goals for life. Responsible, ambitious and with a feeling that is being loved.
Professionally?
To write my next book and to continue a great summer school in Tarnów. And too improve as a flutist everyday.
What inspires you the most in life?
Traveling around the world to meet people and to see beautiful places, which can stay in my memory, is giving me strength to go forward :)
Can you give us 5 quirky, secret, fun, (don't think too much about this) hobbies or passions?
Jogging - it keeps me active, happy and with good breathing condition for my flute playing
Cooking - especially Italian!
Cycling - don’t like to loose time in trams and love to be active - cycling to work sounds like a perfect combination
Sudoku - as a math-graduated I like to keep my mind a little active on this sector :)
Photography - I’m an amateur photographer and love to make photos of my family, friends and the nature
Finding a cheap flight tickets to travel - we are traveling a lot but with a low budget - flying for 60€ both ways is possible!
What 3 things would you offer as advice for a young flutist?
- Keep working to achieve your goals
- Have a realistic goals and don’t get upset, if things don’t go how you imagined - just find a solution to be happy:)
- Be open-minded and be your personal manager. Have your special thing to offer to the audience (interesting chamber ensemble, unique technique to teach, interesting sound colour, skills in management or whatever which can make you stand out from the crowd
