Cellist Madelyn Kowalski grew up on a small island in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. She studies with Alison Wells at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), completing her BMus degree in 2020 and continuing on the MMus course as the recipient of the ABRSM International Postgraduate Scholarship. In 2018 she was 2nd prize-winner of the Concours International de Violoncelle ‘Tremplin’ in Paris and last year was awarded a Silver Medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians. She has received support from the William Syson and Hattori foundations, and Help Musicians, and has won many other prizes at the RCS in both solo and chamber music. In 2019, as part of a small ensemble, she premiered a work written and conducted by Sir James MacMillan in the presence of HRH Prince Charles for his 70th birthday. Last year she gave the Scottish premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s cello concerto with the RCS orchestra.
An avid chamber musician, Madelyn has performed many recitals with pianist Maurizio Arroyo Reyes, including a broadcast recital for BBC Radio 3 and several tours for Chamber Music Scotland. She has participated in festivals including IMS Prussia Cove, Yellow Barn, and Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival. Madelyn has worked with cellists including Steven Isserlis, Ralph Kirshbaum, David Geringas, and Jean-Guihen Queyras. She has performed side-by-side with Scottish orchestras and has collaborated in chamber music projects with Joseph Swensen and members of the Brodsky Quartet and the Hebrides Ensemble.