Early and Formative Years
Born and trained in Poland, Maria Włoszczowska quickly distinguished herself as a violinist of extraordinary promise. She studied at prestigious institutions like the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under András Keller. In 2016 she won several prizes at the XV International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, and in 2018 she was awarded both the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 21st Leipzig International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition.
International Recognition and Awards
Maria’s accolades continued to amass as her career progressed. In recognition of her exceptional musicianship, she received the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Emily Anderson Prize and the Hattori Foundation Senior Award. She also supports the next generation by mentoring emerging chamber groups through programs at the University of Limerick.
A Dynamic Career on Stage
Maria Włoszczowska enjoys a multifaceted career. As a soloist, she has performed major concertos by Beethoven, Korngold, Bruch, and Bach with leading ensembles such as the Bournemouth Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum. Her chamber music collaborations are equally distinguished, appearing at concert venues and festivals such as Wigmore Hall, IMS Prussia Cove, Lammermuir Festival, Musikdorf Ernen, and North York Moors Festival.
Leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia
Appointment and First Impressions
In June 2021, at the age of 29, Maria was appointed Leader (concertmaster) of the Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS), succeeding Bradley Creswick after his 25-year tenure. Her debut performance in this capacity came at the RNS season opener on 18 September at Sage Gateshead. Her appointment was greeted with enthusiasm; the ensemble praised her openness, collaborative spirit, and creative mindset.
Artistic Partnership
Building on her success as Leader, RNS created the Artistic Partner role specifically for Maria starting in autumn 2024. This bespoke position empowers her to help lead programming, direct repertoire, and perform both solo and chamber work alongside principal conductor Dinis Sousa and head of classical programming James Thomas.
Musical Highlights with RNS
As Artistic Partner, Maria continues to shape RNS’s artistic direction, leading several high-profile concerts:
- A programme of Bach Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, orchestral sinfonias, and the Piazzolla-like Chaconne from Partita No. 2, presented in March 2025.
- Upcoming season programmes include Schubert’s Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, Schönberg’s Verklärte Nacht and Pierrot Lunaire, Britten’s Les Illuminations, and an evening devoted entirely to Bach’s Violin Concertos.
These ambitious programmes highlight her versatility—she performs as both soloist and director, exemplifying her integrated approach to leadership through performance.
Regional and Cultural Impact
Maria’s role extends beyond the concert hall. The Royal Northern Sinfonia, based at Sage Gateshead (formerly The Glasshouse), serves as a cultural cornerstone in the North East of England. Under Maria’s influence, the orchestra has strengthened regional engagement by touring to cities including Middlesbrough, Carlisle, Sunderland, Kendal, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff, and Bristol.
Artistic Synergy with Dinis Sousa
Principal conductor Dinis Sousa, who began his role in 2021, and Maria have fostered a strong collaborative partnership. Their artistic synergy has energised the orchestra’s programming and stage presence, leading to sold-out BBC Proms performances and increased touring activity . Sousa remarked that Maria is “one of the most extraordinary musicians around,” and he is delighted to deepen their collaboration as she advances in the Artistic Partner role.
International Leadership Footprint
Beyond the North East, Maria’s influence as a concertmaster and leader is recognized globally. She serves in leadership roles with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, where she shares the position with Lorenza Borrani, and she has appeared as guest leader with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. In 2024, she directed and led COE in venues such as Salzburg’s Mozartwoche and Kronberg Festival. Upcoming engagements include performing with Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Estonian National Symphony, and Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Artistic Approach and Instrument
Maria is celebrated for her versatile musicianship, seamlessly weaving together her roles as soloist, chamber musician, director, and concertmaster . She brings intellectual depth and expressive nuance to every performance—whether guiding an ensemble from within or performing as a featured soloist. She plays on a fine violin crafted by Francesco Stradivari (or earlier by Tomasso Balestrieri, as some sources note).
Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, trust, and exploration. Both RNS musicians and public-facing polls (e.g., BBC audience feedback) cite her open-mindedness and energy as key to the orchestra’s recent successes.
Broader Musical Mission
Maria champions broader access to classical music. Under her oversight, RNS’s programming expands beyond traditional venues to reach diverse audiences across the region, supporting educational outreach and inclusive concerts under the RNS Moves initiative. This effort aligns with Sage Gateshead’s mission to use music as a force for community and social development.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Horizon
As Artistic Partner of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Maria Włoszczowska is shaping an era defined by artistic boldness and communal engagement. Audiences can look forward to an eclectic mix of canon classics, modern masterpieces, intimate chamber concerts, and boundary-pushing projects that reflect her expansive musical vision.
Her dual role—leading from the front and performing from the heart—signals a renaissance of chamber orchestral leadership: where conductors, soloists, and concertmasters are one and the same, offering deeply integrated performances. This approach is transforming RNS into one of Europe’s most exciting ensembles.
Final Thoughts
Maria Włoszczowska’s rise from prize-winning violinist to visionary leader of one of the UK’s finest chamber orchestras is testament to her artistry, versatility, and leadership. As Artistic Partner of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, she is not only navigating an ensemble’s musical path but helping to redefine its role in society—blending tradition with innovation and nurturing a connection between musicians and communities.
Her story is still unfolding, with each concert, project, and educational initiative pushing the boundaries of classical music’s reach and relevance. As audiences across the UK and Europe come to know her work, it’s clear that Maria Włoszczowska is more than a gifted violinist—she is a catalyst for cultural transformation through music.
