Marek Kochmanski

Name: Marek Kochmanski
Place of birth: Poland
Time lived in Scotland: Three years

Pianist Marek Kochmanski from Poland wanted to stay in Scotland because of the Arts scene in Scotland.

Having studied music at the University of Silesia in Poland, specialising in the piano and double bass, Marek moved to Scotland three years ago.

"I came to Scotland in 2006 with friends, knowing it was a beautiful place. Oban is a very attractive place for people involved with music, it's a good environment for the Arts."

Marek teaches piano 20-25 hours a week and spends the rest of his time practicing.

"I have around 20-25 pupils; the youngest I have is 6-years-old and the oldest is around 65. I also practice for five hours a day; my fiancée, Magdalena, just accepts this!"

Marek has also been practising his skills on the double bass and plans to teach it as well.

Apart from teaching he has also performed a recital at St John’s Cathedral in Oban, and is planning more. "I played for half-an-hour and my students played for the other half. Performing is a fantastic experience for my pupils," says Marek.

"I enjoy playing so much because I’m not just creating music. It's a fantastic way to express myself. It's very difficult to describe the feeling of performing in a recital. It just can't compare to anything else. It's a special feeling you get only when you perform. I'd love to play in more recitals next year."

Life in Scotland

There are several reasons why Marek prefers to stay in Scotland. "In Poland, private teaching is not popular and it would be difficult to build up students. It's a different system in Poland; you would go to a primary and secondary music school first before you can study music at university.

"In Scotland, you would pass exam grades in order to get into university to study music. This is one reason why a lot of people want to learn the piano in Scotland."

Marek thinks the best thing about Scotland is the people and hopes he never has to move out of Oban.

"The people here are very nice and supportive. If you want to do something, there are plenty of people who want to help you. It's a very positive environment.

"I hope moving won’t ever be necessary because I like the town very much. We have plenty of friends here and I don't see any reason why I would want to move."

Long-term plans

Marek's long-term plans are focussed on his music. "I want to improve my piano playing, doing what I'm doing now. "My biggest dream is to express music the way I want and master the technique. In terms of my career, I feel it's not the most important thing in my life. If you focus on your career, you forget what's important in music.

"For me, it's not important to play in a particular place, such as the Carnegie Hall. If I do well, my career will come naturally."

Related Links

• Magdalena Sadlik
• Read more about arts and culture in Scotland
  
• St John’s Cathedral in Oban