Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beata Golec. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Beata, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Music is my life. I am the owner of Golec Music Studio, piano instructor at the State University of New York in Geneseo, and director of music programs at Our Mother of Sorrows and Holy Cross Churches in Rochester, New York. Additionally, I serve as the music instructor at the Montessori School in Canandaigua, New York, and as examiner for Advanced Placement in Music Theory and International Baccalaureate in Music.
My musical journey began at age 7, upon my acceptance into the Mieczyslaw Karlowicz School of Music in Katowice, Poland. Auditions, exams, and juries have been a part of my life since early childhood through finishing my Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree at the Eastman School of Music.
When choosing this career I was not preoccupied with the idea of my income level or any superficial aspects of my professional path. Rather, I had a deep passion for music and education. I continue to be highly passionate about these fields today. I completed over twenty years of music education in order to become who I am today and to be as knowledgable as I am today. The journey of learning did not end after completing my formal education. Instead, I continue to learn on a daily basis – each professional and personal encounter is valuable to me. I am a curious person and enjoy gaining knowledge – music theory, analysis, history, discoveries, composition, collaborative projects, contracts, tax law etc. I love working with others and learning about them, their needs, and their stories.
Going back to my childhood and the rigorous education I received:
The educational system in Poland is highly comprehensive and provides a wide array of challenging opportunities to the most excelling students. Music students play juries (scales, arpeggios, cadences and three contrasting pieces for the youngest students) and complete exams in music theory and ear-training each semester. By the time I was in high school, my class-load included piano, accompanying, cello, orchestra, form analysis, music history, aural skills, part writing (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), counterpoint, conducting and orchestration. I attended all these music activities provided by the music school in addition to being a student in a “regular” high school. My typical weekday was filled with classes, lessons and practicing – about twelve hours a day. Then, I continued my education at the Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw (piano performance and literature) and at the Karol Szymanowski University of Music in Katowice (composition and music theory). I was a full-time student at two higher ed institutions located 200 miles from each other. I rode the Intercity trains between Katowice and Warsaw at least three times a week. Sometimes I would commute by flying LOT Polish Airlines depending on my schedule. What I really appreciated the most about the Polish education was not just the fact of how solid it was, but how competitive it was, and the fact it was completely free. Only the most accomplished students received scholarships from the Polish government. The scholarships arrived in the form of a monthly stipend payment, and I was the recipient of these scholarships each year at both universities. In my freshman year in Warsaw, I was invited to attend the Chautauqua Institution Summer Music School on a full scholarship. I studied there for four summers in a row. It was a life-changing experience which propelled my interest in the Eastman School of Music and I developed many friendships. I studied at Eastman on a full scholarship and earned Master’s of Music and Doctoral of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance and Literature. In addition to my Eastman studies, I was a PhD student in Composition at University of Buffalo for one year. Given the fact, I was enrolled as a full-time doctoral student at two universities, served as a teaching assistant at Eastman and working; I found myself stretched too thin, and ended my Buffalo journey. While still at Eastman, I became an examiner for the Advanced Placement in Music Theory, accepted a teaching position at SUNY Geneseo and became the Director of Music Programs for the Diocese of Rochester.
Music career is a life-long journey. We cannot predict the future on “day one”. Instead, we strive to be our best and to gain as many skills as it is possible. The most critical skill to me is the ability to adapt to the ever changing market, and to be flexible to address the needs of our clients, students and community.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a pianist, composer, music theorist and educator. I own Golec Music Studio and teach students ages 3+. Golec Music Studio specializes in an array of music and educational services: piano, voice, music theory, and composition lessons, masterclasses, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam prep, college audition prep, music theater and production audition prep, music competition prep, recordings, transcriptions, performances, weddings, religious celebrations, and corporate events.
Golec Music Studio collaborates with local non-profit organizations, corporations and retirement communities. My current schedule includes several recitals at assisted living and nursing homes, wedding and business expos, charity fashion shows, and a masquerade ball for suicide and mental health awareness. The most up to date list of events can be found here:
https://www.beatagolec.com/concerts
I have over twenty years of experience teaching students of all ages and levels including teaching piano and voice in private and group settings, teaching children under five years old, children and adults with learning disabilities, coaching choirs, organizing and leading concerts, as well as training and performing for diverse audiences.
My students have the opportunity to perform at Young Musicians’ Concerts twice a year. These concerts have served as fundraisers for BackPack Program, Music Ministry and the Food Pantries at Our Mother of Sorrows and Holy Cross Churches. Young Musicians’ Concerts were founded in 2016 and the goal of these events is to provide a stress free and positive experience for performers to showcase the enormous amount of talent in our community. The students do not have to memorize their repertoire, and choose when they would like to perform.
My teaching philosophy and style are based on delivering a clear message, simplifying the task, being organized and providing a structured experience to each student. I am prepared to have more than one answer to a question, to find an alternative way to solve a problem and to explain the connection between the physical and emotional aspects of making music. I believe, I expect high yet reasonable standards and keep my musicians accountable. The instructor’s honest approach to teaching is the key to their students’ success. Every session consists of a variety of tasks and is never monotonous. The learning plan includes both analytical and historical concepts. My students, regardless of age, receive written homework. The more time they spend on notation, theory and analysis, the more independent they can become. The more the independence early on, the quicker the long-term results. The scope and volume of assignments are adjusted to the students’ age and level. Emotional support plays a substantial role in one’s development and success. I strive to encourage my musicians in any way I can including the time outside of our sessions. I want them to know I believe in their potential and abilities, and I remind them of their progress on a regular basis.
Please look at the page with the testimonials from my clients, collaborative artists, students, and their parents:
https://www.beatagolec.com/testimonials
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I am a strong believer of the mission and content of the Emotional Intelligence series of books published by Harvard Business Press. These concise books (100 – 150 pages each) provide very clear information and inspiration to individuals in leadership positions on how to understand others, how to communicate effectively, how to influence others with grace, and how to retain authenticity while in a leadership role. The books are entitled: Happiness, Mindfulness, Influence+Persuasion, Empathy, Authentic Leadership and Confidence.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I love the freedom of creating (not only my music but also my own schedule), deciding about the amount of projects I participate in (and how much I can handle). I love the excitement of networking and communication with several individuals and organizations. But, foremost, I find collaborating with other musicians, educators, business owners and artists extremely rewarding. Every day is a new journey and is never monotonous. Each encounter with my students and clients brings a learning experience into my life. I strongly believe that teaching equals learning. I am continuously learning about the musicality, sensitivity and personalities of my students, about the various ways of understanding gestures, harmonies and music notation, but foremost I have learned that there is always more than one way to communicate, phrase or understand music. Making music is not about right or wrong answers. It is about delivering a message in the most effective way possible to engage others and to encourage the listeners to hear the story and to give them the freedom to interpret and make the story alive in their own imagination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beatagolec.com
- Other: https://www.geneseo.edu/music/golec
https://www.onchamber.com/athena/
Image Credits
Images by: Kinga Karpati, Inga Mucha and Gil Maker.