Karolina’s vision as a pianist and pedagogue is deeply rooted in both the pianistic lineage of European and American schools and in the principles of the Alexander Technique. Diverse audiences on four continents (Europe, China, North and South America) have deeply connected with Karolina’s advocacy and passion for music in solo and chamber settings.
In addition to an active performing and teaching career, Karolina’s multifaceted musical vision has led her to launch classical music series both in the US and in Europe. Her musicianship and musicological research have been broadcast by Czech and US stations, such as the Czech TV, GCTV and Austin’s KMFA Fortepiano Radio Series.
Karolina began her professional music studies at the Prague Conservatory in the Czech Republic. Her success at home opened doors to further studies in the United States. She received her Bachelor’s (University of Maryland), Master’s and Doctorate degrees (University of Texas at Austin) summa cum laude. Her final project titled In Search of the Vanished Present in Janáček’s Cycle of Piano Miniatures “On the Overgrown Path” has been nominated to receive the best lecture recital award. In continuation of this project, Karolina is currently working on a book and a recording project of the entire piano works of Leoš Janáček.
Also an avid chamber musician, she won the Sidney M. Wright Endowed Presidential Scholarship Competition in Piano Accompanying. In 2014, Karolina and her husband David Chapman created a piano and guitar duo Musàdous which has been featured in festivals in Mexico and the US. Karolina has frequently appeared in concerts and master-classes in Europe, the United States and China. She played for teachers such as Claude Frank, Inon Barnatan, Barry Snyder, Andre Watts, John O’Conor, Malcolm Bilson, Kenneth Merrill, Narcis Bonet, and Dominique Merlet among others.
Also interested in conducting, Karolina devoted herself fully to this discipline at the EAMA festival at the “L’École Normale Supérieure” in Paris. After this experience, she enjoyed being a musical director and organist of the Adelphi Presbyterian Church in Maryland. During her tenure in Texas, Karolina co-founded and directed the Hallettsville Cultural Event Center’s classical series in Hallettsville, Texas. The center successfully provided the highest quality of performances for the region.