Marek Szpakiewicz, DMA

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

Office Location: West Campus, Warren Music Building #227

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
MUS 251 – Chamber Ensemble - Strings
MUS 440 – Instrumental Pedagogy
MUS 452 – Instrumental Music Literature
AC – Chamber Ensemble - Strings
AC – Applied Instruction - Cello