American born Polish pianist, Szymon Czerniak, has been hailed for his “brilliant technique, extraordinary energy, and strength in interpretation (Kourier Szczecinski).” Szymon was awarded a Cultural Arts Scholarship by the Koszczisko Foundation in New York to study in Poland under the direction of Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. Currently, Szymon serves as adjunct faculty at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, while completing his doctorate in Musical Arts with renowned pianist John O’Conor. Szymon holds a BA in Musical Arts from University of Houston, and Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York.
In addition to performing in concert venues as a soloist throughout the United States, Poland, Italy, and France, Szymon is also an avid collaborative artist, regularly accompanying chamber musicians, orchestras, and vocalists. Szymon is also a devoted performer in the genre of jazz, performing regularly throughout Texas with his jazz ensemble, The Simon Aleksander Quintet. In the world of jazz, Szymon has collaborated with artists such as Randy Brecker, Allen Vizzutti, Will Kennedy of the Yellow Jackets, Glen Ackerman, and Sal Capone, among others. In addition to his studies in music and performing arts, Szymon also holds a degree in Political Science from the prestigious Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.