Sylvia Kowalczuk
Selected Biography
First-Prize-Winner of the International Harp Competition in Varallo, Italy and winner of Artists International Audition in New York Sylvia Kowalczuk was presented in her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall. She has received the highest critical acclaim from the New York Times.
A native of Poland, Sylvia Kowalczuk received the Master of Music Degree with Distinction from the Warsaw Academy of Music. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Queens College of Music of the City University of New York where she was granted a full scholarship and affiliated with teaching. Miss Kowalczuk has also studied at the International Academie D’Ete in France which is under the aegis of the Paris Conservatory.
When Sylvia first came to the United States she joined the already established renown group, the New York Harp Ensemble, where she was the youngest member at that time. Founder of the group, Proffessor Aristed von Wurtzler published a book about his life and the history of the ensemble, ‘Talking About Harp’ . In it he expressed that it was his wish for Sylvia to become his successor.
Sylvia Kowalczuk concertized all over the world, playing in Europe, Africa, Asia (including Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan), as well as the United States.
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Vigado Concert Hall; Budapest, Hungary
Sylvia Kowalczuk has appeared at several international music festivals in Italy, Germany, Hungary and participated in festivals of contemporary music in Poland (Warsaw Autumn), as well as in music festivals in the US with great success.
She recorded four albums solo and as a soloist with orchestra. She recorded five albums with the New York Harp Ensemble and also was featured as a soloist with the Ensemble.
Avery Fisher Hall; New York, N.Y.
She gave concerts at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and the White House for presidents Clinton, Bush and Reagan. She also appeared at International festivals as a soloist.
She also has been broadcast on several international Television and Radio programs such as WQXR’s McGraw-Hill “Young Artists Showcase.”
In great demand as a pedagogue, Ms Kowalczuk has given master classes at several International Harp Festivals. She has been instrumental in organizing the International Harp Master Class and Festival at Keszthely, Hungary for ten years.
She was also spotlighted as a guest on the show “Good Morning America” as well as appearing in two episodes of the popular HBO series “The Sopranos;” “Eloise” and “The Test Dream,” for which she w
as credited for Outstanding Performance.
