Marek Szpakiewicz, DMA

Associate Professor; Cello Studies; Director of String Studies and Chamber Music

Fax: (626) 969-7419

Polish-born cellist Marek Szpakiewicz, DMA, is celebrated for his expressive artistry and dedication to music. Acclaimed by Yo-Yo Ma for his “energy, motivation, earnestness, and generosity of spirit,” Szpakiewicz has earned praise from notable figures like Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano, who described his performance of “Fancy on a Bach Air” as “absolutely gorgeous.” Critics from Europe, the U.S., and Japan have hailed him as “a gifted player” with “immense authority” and “no technical limitation.”

A former student of esteemed mentors including Daniil Shafran, Lynn Harrell, and Eleonore Schoenfeld, Szpakiewicz’s performances have been featured on Polish and American radio, with a one-hour special on KUSC-Los Angeles. He has recorded works like Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo, praised by Strad Magazine for its “remarkably accurate realisation.”

Szpakiewicz is an associate professor at Azusa Pacific University, where he also directs String Studies and Chamber Music. His students have won prestigious awards and gained acceptance to top institutions like Juilliard and Peabody Conservatory. In 2023, he served as a panel judge for the Schoenfeld International String Competition in China.

Beyond classical performance, Szpakiewicz has worked with film composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek on the Oscar-winning score for Finding Neverland. Committed to humanitarian causes, he has supported the Soma Children’s Orchestra in Fukushima, Japan, through charity concerts and donations.

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

Strings Studies
Chamber Music