Margaret Wacyk Biography

Margaret Wacyk, Biography

“To play music on the piano is not enough—To be a complete musician one needs to be like an archaeologist, searching deeper to find the true essence of the piece; one needs to be like a painter looking for the right shades of tone and textures to execute the picture and lastly, but I think most relevantly, one must be like a prophet, to extract the spiritual meaning which is embedded in every musical work of higher order—and to communicate it to listeners.”

It is with this philosophy of music and its greater context that Miss Wacyk has directed her career. It has taken her on many musical adventures—as a performer, composer, educator and advocate for classical music and its importance in our society.

Born into a musical family, Margaret Wacyk’s talents first attracted attention at the age of seven, when she began her musical studies. She made her public concert debut at the age of ten and after receiving consecutive gold medals in the Music Educators Association Annual Competitions, went on the pursue further musical education in Europe and completed her studies at New York University, supplemented her studies at the Juilliard School and names acclaimed pianist Mordecai Shehori as her most influential teacher.

In addition to her work as a pianist, Miss Wacyk has been an actve composer. She has had her compositions performed by the Juilliard Student Orchestra and her music is featured on the soundtrack of the film The Lesson.

As a soloist, Miss Wacyk has concertized in the United States and Europe. Highlights of recent seasons included her New York City concert debut in Carnegie Recital Hall in the Spring of 2000, recitals in Steinway Hall and a return to Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in June 2004. She has released two solo recordings on the Romeo Records Label and has had her latest CD chosen in June 2005 as Gramophone Magazine’s “Best New Releases from North America”. This recording has also been recently featured on WQXR’s radio program “Reflections from the Keyboard.”

Miss Wacyk has developed a thriving teaching practice with her dynamic personality and unique approach to teaching piano in an exciting way. She takes each student’s unique talents and personalities into consideration and makes the goal of keeping their love of music engaged and growing as her personal credo. After having had a successful private teaching practice in Manhattan and having been on the piano and theory faculty of the Diller Quaile School of Music in NYC, she fulfilled her long time dream of starting her own school for music. Margaret’s school named ‘Pianoforte’ opened in March of 2005 in Bedminster, NJ and enjoyed great success instilling the inspiration that comes from music with others.

Among the highlights of Margaret’s 2008-2009 season will be her return to Carnegie Hall in October and recitals across the country. Her third recording featuring a program of Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Albeniz and Chopin will be released on the Empyrean label in Fall of 2008.

Contact Margaret