Marek Szpakiewicz, DMA

Polish-born cellist Marek Szpakiewicz has been praised by Yo-Yo Ma as an artist whose “energy, motivation, earnestness, and generosity of spirit are evident through his work.” Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano called Szpakiewicz’s performance of “Fancy on a Bach Air” as “absolutely gorgeous.” Critics across Europe, America, and Asia have described him as a gifted player with expansive vision and immense authority. His live performances have been broadcast on Polish and American radio stations.

Szpakiewicz began studying cello in Lublin, Poland, and later trained with Stephen Kates at the Peabody Conservatory. He earned his doctorate under Eleonore Schoenfeld at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.

He teaches cello and chamber music at Azusa Pacific University, where he serves as director of String Studies and Chamber Music. He is also on faculty at the Montecito International Music Festival and the Colburn Chamber Music Intensive. Additionally, he has collaborated as a film music orchestrator with Academy Award-winning composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek and award-winning composer Akihiko Matsumoto.

Szpakiewicz was granted U.S. permanent residency as an Extraordinary Ability Artist in 2008. The Los Angeles County Supervisors recognized him for organizing a fundraising concert for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims in 2011.

Education

• DMA Cello Performance, Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
• MM Cello Performance, Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
• Graduate Artist Certificate, Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University

Academic Area

• School of the Arts

Expertise

• Cello studies
• Chamber Music
• Music arrangement and film orchestration

Courses Taught

• GMUS 520 – Applied Instruction – Cello
• GMUS 525 – Chamber Ensemble – Strings
• MUS 1S2 – Applied Instruction – Cello