Life
Candlelight was initially conceived as a classical music series with concerts featuring works by renowned composers, such as Vivaldi, Mozart, and Chopin.
Now, the ever-growing list of programs includes a wide variety of themes and genres, including tributes to contemporary artists like Queen, ABBA and more. This innovative format provides a unique live musical experience, offering a variety of programs to meet all tastes.
Among their line-up of diverse artists is pianist Magdalena Wajdzik. Playing a significant role in each performance, here the talented performer shares her early beginnings and discusses how to enthrall a crowd and deliver a memorable experience through the power of music.
What do your first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
I wake up every day at 5 am and start my morning routine with a refreshing shower. I then proceed to my skincare routine. After that, I tackle my exercise routine, which includes a challenging 5-minute planking challenge. I am proud to say that I have been making steady progress each week by gradually increasing the time I hold the plank. Next, I prepare myself a delicious and nutritious breakfast, usually consisting of overnight oats or chia seeds with berries and nuts, and pack a satisfying lunch for school. I am mindful of the food I consume and make a conscious effort to reduce my meat consumption. Finally, I leave for school early so that I can practice playing the piano with complete focus and mindfulness.
Talk to us through your background and career.
At the age of 6, my mother signed me up for piano lessons, and music became a significant part of my life. It wasn’t always easy, but after years of practice, I won a prize at a music competition. This achievement changed my mindset, and I started to believe that becoming a professional musician was possible. During my university years, I had an urge to study abroad. I was accepted to the Birmingham Conservatoire, where I seized every opportunity to grow, such as participating in internal and external competitions and concerts. Although some of these were more successful than others, they all contributed to my overall development. I also spent some summers in the US as a pianist. After a few years in the UK, I received a scholarship opportunity in Budapest, Hungary, where I spent two years exploring Hungarian piano repertoire and working with up-and-coming composers. My interest in modern music, particularly the music composed post-1950, grew stronger, and I continue to enjoy working on contemporary classical music. When I moved to UAE, I shifted my career from performing to teaching. However, I still perform occasionally and participate in a few projects such as the Candlelight Concerts. I also support student projects around Dubai as an accompanist or chamber music performer. Although music takes up most of my time, I’ve been a skydiver for the past few years, and I spend my Saturdays (my official day off from music) at Skydive Dubai.
Prior to moving to Dubai in 2014, you lived across Europe, the United Kingdom and USA. What lessons did you learn during those times that you apply into your career?
I left Poland during my university years and had to quickly adapt to living independently. This required me to develop an understanding of the cultures of the countries I lived in. While living abroad, I made friends from all over the world and learned how to be flexible and adaptable in different social situations. Speaking English as my first language gave me fluency and the ability to teach and mentor others while leaving my mother tongue behind.
Where do you get the discipline and motivation to be consistent and are there any practices which have helped you with this?
I believe in the power of habit. I remember reading the book with the same title by Charles Duhigg. I always care about producing the highest quality of work. In order to achieve this, I try to be honest with myself. I am my biggest critic, which keeps me driven and motivated. In North London Collegiate School, where I work, I am surrounded by a wonderful and ambitious team that keeps me motivated and devoted to the art of teaching and supporting students in the best way possible. It’s important to mention that my own students keep me motivated. There is nothing better than knowing that my work and attitude have impacted students’ lives in a musical way.
What role has mentorship played in your career?
I have been blessed to have had a few mentors in my career. They had an important role during my university years but also right after I graduated and started my teaching and performing careers. Thanks to those people, I stayed focused, built my self-confidence, achieved goals and widened my professional network. They also led me to self-discovery and helped me direct my focus to particular areas in music performance and music teaching.
Are there any milestones you are most proud of?
My milestones have changed over time. When I was younger, a milestone of mine was to visit 50 countries. Another was to finish with the highest degree offered at my university, the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma. What I am really proud of is that despite being so busy with my teaching career, I can still perform and practice piano, and not only that (!) – I am still getting better!
What has been the biggest challenge to date, and how did you overcome this?
Living as an expat has been my biggest challenge. I have been living abroad for a long time, and I often feel lonely, which affects my mental health. Family is extremely important to me, and I try to overcome the distance and time apart by visiting them whenever possible. We also have regular Zoom calls to stay connected. Prioritizing my family keeps me content and grounded in life.
As an educator, your interest lies in brain development and music therapy – why is this important?
Every musician has a reason for turning to teaching. At the beginning of my career, my main focus was to make a living. This all changed soon after I began my career in teaching. I find teaching at any level incredibly rewarding, regardless of the speed of progress my students make. This has been an informed decision after diving into the subject of brain development. Understanding the neural processes and how ‘flexible’ and ‘plastic’ (referring to brain plasticity) the brain helps tremendously with patience and choosing the right learning pathways for my students. Music Therapy, for me, can reduce stress and improve quality of life. I am a big supporter and strong believer in the power of music, and I hope one day, music will be the most important subject in students’ timetables.
How important is music in creating the perfect ambience – how does this add to the experience?
I can’t stress enough how important music is to create the perfect ambience. Music truly accentuates experiences. It can convey a specific mood: calmness, excitement, tension, or suspense. I can relate this question to a soundtrack from a movie. Something that I ALWAYS pay attention to while watching a motion picture. The sound can add emotional depth and help the person experiencing it better direct their emotions.
What is the most important to you when you are on stage performing?
The stage is the platform for performers. We share an art that is music. It is very important for me to connect with my audience. I always think about what I will play and how to convey those musical messages and ideas. I ask myself a few important questions: am I engaging? Are the music pieces I’m performing varied and balanced enough? Am I able to convey my emotions successfully? These questions help me direct my attention and, therefore, make me try to establish a connection with the audience.
