Polish Back to School Life by Matylda Kołek
Matylda Kołek is a 23-year-old flutist from Poland. She studies flute at the Academy of Music in Katowice with Dr. Łukasz Zimnik. Her greatest ambition is to pursue a professional career as an orchestral flutist.
Back to School Questions
I am studying flute at the Academy of Music in Katowice with Dr. Łukasz Zimnik. The coming year will be the final year of my master’s degree, so it will certainly be a challenging one for me. One of my main goals is to choose and prepare the repertoire for my diploma recital. For now, I have decided to perform Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, and my master’s thesis will also focus on this beautiful piece. I am really looking forward to it!
Apart from that, I will do my best during the NOSPR Academy auditions. As I dream of becoming an orchestral musician, taking part in this programme would be a wonderful opportunity for me to gain valuable experience and develop my skills as an orchestral flutist.
Polish Flute Scene Questions
The Polish flute community consists of a large number of highly talented and dedicated flutists. They perform and organize numerous concerts, workshops, masterclasses and competitions. A great example is Tarnovia Flute Summer, an international flute festival and flute course held every year, bringing together outstanding flutists from Poland and around the world. I have had the opportunity to participate in the courses there and also volunteer at the event three times. It has always been a wonderful and inspiring experience for me, and I really appreciate the opportunity to learn from and meet flutists from different countries.
Polish Flute Life
I love performing, especially in an orchestra. It gives me the opportunity to express things that are difficult to put into words. It is like a universal language that cannot be translated, yet everyone can understand it if they listen carefully.
Apart from playing the flute, I have many other interests. I have a degree in Computer Science and I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. I also enjoy crocheting and all kinds of sports, from jogging to volleyball. I also love going to the mountains.
As I am still quite young and have a lot to learn myself, I would not consider myself experienced enough to give young flutists advice. Instead, I would like to share a quote that motivates me: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). There will be moments when you feel that your hard work is not bringing results, but I believe that patience and persistence will eventually pay off. I am still waiting for that moment too!