My real bio

Belonging

Born to Polish-Vietnamese parents and raised between Poland and Japan—immersed in an odd cocktail of languages and cultures—I’ve concluded that “home” is less a place and more a rather elusive state of mind. This patchwork upbringing shaped how I approach music: like a time-travelling musical linguist, I love discovering different accents, tones, and ways to express human emotions in my own voice.

What matters to me

My curiosity extends beyond performance. I’ve spent a frankly absurd amount of time fiddling with strings, tailpieces, and bridges—probably testing the patience of several luthiers and bowmakers. This habit gave me the practical knowledge to care for my instruments—something I pass on to my students, because understanding your instrument is part of finding your voice.

Alongside violin, I studied far too much harpsichord and enough musicology to be passionate in academic conversations. I enjoy linking historical research with practical interpretation, whether in lectures, lessons, or concerts. And whenever possible, I like to step away from the score and play by heart—it’s my way of staying creative and connecting directly with the audience.

I feel fortunate to play on an 18th-century viola d’amore and an Italian violino piccolo, which broaden my perspective on the violin family and let me explore repertoire still waiting to be discovered.

Off the score

Outside music, I’m a mum of two, a homegrown barista, and an enthusiast of analogue photography—because, like historically informed performance, it’s about capturing timeless moments in an imperfect, beautifully human way.

In my teenage years, I nearly gave up the violin for the transverse flute. The fondness for wind instruments has stayed with me ever since, teaching me how to make my bow breathe and how to connect with the most ideal instrument of the Baroque aesthetics - the human voice.

And somewhere along the way, I became Italiana di cuore—a hopeless Italophile with a weakness for caffè al bar, pici all'aglione, and the occasional dramatic hand gesture.