Michal Waligora
After a recent piano exam, a teacher congratulated me on my progress and asked if I'd been practicing more than usual. I smiled and replied, "Not more, just smarter." I knew then that my focused approach to practice had paid off. Although anecdotal, this situation shows how being a pianist, a high-school student, and a computer scientist keep me terribly happy, and busy.
Born in 2008 in Cambridge, Michal grew up in Luxembourg with a passion for music that only continues to grow. At the age of 9, he joined the Luxembourg National Conservatory, where he followed theoretical coursework alongside piano, his primary instrument. His five-year solfege course laid the foundation for a deep understanding of music, which he supplemented with harmony and counterpoint classes under Yvan Boumans, as well as music culture studies with François Marcaud. Four years of violin with Quentin Jassaud allowed him to better understand orchestral and chamber music.
Eager to further expand his piano horizons, Michal took collaborative piano classes with Katrin Reifenrath and piano sight-reading with Cathy Krier, for both of which he obtained the Premier Prix exam in 2024. Recently, Michal took up jazz piano with Michel Reis, and chamber music with Stéphane Giampellegrini. In addition to his regular studies, Michal has also had the opportunity to participate in numerous piano Masterclasses at the Conservatory, where he has benefited from the expertise of renowned pianists, such as Gabriel Teclu, Susan Manoff, and Johan Schmidt, further refining his skills and broadening his musical perspective.
Under the skillful guidance of Cathy Krier, Michal has grown as a person and a pianist, accumulating a record of achievements. In October 2024, following an excellent result at the Premier Prix piano exam, Michal performed with the Chamber Orchestra of Luxembourg (OCL) under the direction of Swann van Rechem. The following year, Luxembourg also saw him perform alongside other professional musicians at the Catch Music Festival in 2025. In the fall of 2025, Michal participated in a prestigious "Young Talents on Tour" student exchange between the Luxembourg National Conservatory, the German Lübeck Academy of Music, and the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. The combination of learning from esteemed faculty (Konstanze Eickhorst), all-day rehearsals with students and performances in unique venues, such as the Kiel Opera House contributed to the magic feel of this authentic musical experience.
Michal's musical talents extend far beyond the Conservatory walls. For several years now, Michal has been actively involved in the annual musical production at the International School of Luxembourg (ISL), where he thrives on collaboration with fellow student-artists and musicians. In 2024, Michal's leadership skills shone as Artistic Director of Chicago, a role that showcased his expertise as both a conductor and pianist. With great success, he balanced his dual responsibilities, drawing on the skills he honed at the Conservatory and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2025, he continues his involvement as musical director and conductor for Guys and Dolls.
In addition to his conservatory studies, Michal has also pursued other musical interests. In 2023, he completed the Composing Film Music for Beginners course at the University of Utrecht Summer School - distinguished as the youngest student ever. This experience introduced him to the exciting world of electronic music, innovative composing techniques, and the art of creating soundtracks for films, museums, exhibitions, and games, using specialized software and production processes.
However, what makes him really tick is making music together, with other students, musicians, and artists. Be it a classical concert, a crazy modern performance, or a musical theatre, it fills him with energy and joy.