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Zuzanna A. Szewczyk

Biography

Zuzanna Szewczyk is driven by the deep gratitude she feels for her parents' having left their native Poland to find new opportunity, by "the gift of America," by her love of music, and by her grand vision for the power of music.

After acknowledging the "extreme devotion and sacrifice" that her pursuit entails, Zuzanna puts it aside. "Much of my childhood was spent at the piano," she writes. High school was one series of competitions and festivals after another. This opened up an abundance of opportunities most kids my age did not have access to: gaining independence prematurely, seeing the world, and . . . making friendships of the most enduring sort. As a result, I discovered my calling, as well as the most effective outlet for my emotions, early in life."

She goes on: "As the fanciful aspirations of being the next child prodigy calmed, I realized that my purpose in the world is far broader than that of expertly moving my fingers over a piano's keyboard. I have witnessed firsthand the unbelievable power that music can have over all people." She writes of being able to communicate "on the most intimate level, with all peoples regardless of race, cultural background, or nationality. The joy, comfort, and inspiration I have seen music induce reassures me of my profession's irreplaceable value to society."

Since high school, Zuzanna has also spent a great deal of time teaching the piano. She describes this aspect of her life, which on a practical level has helped pay for her education thus far, as the opportunity to make a "small-scale difference through bestowing the means of expression to individuals." She has also helped to pay for her education through work-study, accompanying instrumentalists and ushering concerts at the school.

Always, though, Zuzanna sees a bigger picture: "I believe that the ultimate medium through which people can come to realize that they are all essentially very much the same . . . is art. Music is the unique gift I have to offer the world. I plan to use my career as a performing musician, with the emphasis I have been placing on outreach concerts and teaching, to further the ideas of attainable world peace and understanding . . . . I know that there is potential for me to make a difference."

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