As the new year settles in, many of us take a moment to reflect on the past year. Were goals achieved? Was it a year of action, or one of preparation for something bigger? For me, 2024 was an exceptionally busy year—full of new experiences, cherished encounters, and unforgettable memories.

One of the highlights was reuniting with my school friend, pianist Aleksandra Hałat. She came to Malta, and together we performed two piano four-hands concerts—one at the Gaulitana Festival in Gozo and another in Valletta’s Green Room at Pjazza Teatru Rjal. Playing together for the first time was both a challenge and a joy, allowing us to reconnect, learn from each other, and enjoy making music in the Maltese sunshine. Our program featured an exciting mix of works, including premieres by Maltese composer Karl Fiorini and Polish composer Dobrucka, alongside compositions by Tansman, Poulenc, Ravel, and Moszkowski.

Another major milestone was my collaboration with violinist Justyna Zanko, which led to six performances in 2024. We performed three times in Poland—twice in the “Classics in Crown” concert series and once at a TEDx conference in Lublin—twice in Malta (at the Victoria International Arts Festival in Gozo and the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta), and once in Naples, Italy, where we won the SEA-EU competition. Our collaboration began with a simple phone call and quickly turned into an exciting musical journey. Returning to Poland to perform after so many years made the experience even more special. We explored both Polish and German repertoire and had the privilege of playing at the historic Teatr Stary in Lublin for TEDx. Performing in Naples was another unforgettable moment, especially at Villa Doria D’Angri, overlooking the Bay of Naples—a place where Wagner himself once stayed.

These collaborations reminded me how music has the power to strengthen old friendships while creating new ones. I am happy to share that Justyna and I will be performing together again at the Victoria International Arts Festival in July 2025, presenting a recital featuring Polish, Czech, and Slovak music.

A particularly significant moment of 2024 was my performance of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Michael Laus. This was part of my DMus program and an unforgettable experience. With only one rehearsal before the concert and then just a short break before the performance, it was a true challenge—but one I embraced wholeheartedly. I hope this will be the first of many opportunities to perform with an orchestra in the future.

Looking ahead, my main focus for the first half of 2025 is preparing for my final DMus recital in early June. Titled Her Voice: Celebrating Female Composers and Their Inspirations, the program will feature premieres of works by Amy Beach and Valborg Aulin, alongside pieces by Liszt and Chopin. After that, I look forward to planning new projects, concerts, and musical adventures.

Here’s to another year of music, collaboration, and exciting challenges ahead!