Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beata Golec. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Beata , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, or ability to overcome obstacles, to push forward and to succeed, is very closely related to emotional regulation, strategic thinking, choosing logic over unnecessary hostility, decisiveness, and mental flexibility. These are not given at birth but rather fostered and conditioned by one’s upbringing such as strong and nurturing parents, safe and positive relationships during early childhood, and then life’s experiences and positive mindset focused on learning and growth.
I am extremely lucky to have my parents – Alicja and Dariusz Golec. They are extraordinary role models when it comes to morality, relationship and marriage equality, high standards, work ethic, empathy, just treatment of others, and emotional intelligence. These two amazing individuals provided a healthy and balanced home, supported my musical endeavors including moving to another continent to study at the Eastman School of Music and to establish my life here, expected a lot of me, and showed me how to push the boundaries to always learn and to continuously strive for excellence. I am who I am today thanks to them.
In my opinion, the hunger to learn more, the skill of adjusting to new situations on a spot, finding quick and viable solutions, enjoying people and hearing their stories is a huge part of being resilient. When we walk through life we enter countless relationships with other individuals, whether romantic, domestic, platonic or work oriented. During each of these we learn about the other, their purpose, their psychological make-up, strengths and weaknesses, trauma from the past, but mostly we learn about ourselves, our boundaries, and if we are capable of setting them proficiently. The skill of protecting our boundaries and saying “no” whenever necessary is one of the of foundations of resilience.
I strongly believe that resilience and financial intelligence are deeply interconnected. Financial independence and literacy are the foundations of one’s freedom, self-sufficiency and confidence. One could not enter a healthy and equitable union with another person or become a business leader unless they possess these skills.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Dr. Beata Golec a pianist, music theorist, composer, and educator. She teaches and collaborates with music ensembles at State University of Geneseo, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Diocese of Rochester. She received the 2020 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 2024 Victor Business Awards, and was the honoree of the 2024 Ontario County ATHENA Leadership Awards.
Dr. Golec founded Golec Music Studio in Victor, NY, with a mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of artists. At the studio, students of all ages and skill levels can explore a diverse range of musical disciplines, from piano and voice to intricate music theory and composition. The studio also offers specialized services, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam preparation, ensuring students are well-equipped for academic challenges. Beyond traditional lessons, Golec Music Studio provides comprehensive support for college auditions and music theater preparations, helping aspiring performers shine on stage. With a focus on competition readiness, recordings, and transcriptions, Dr. Golec’s expertise extends to creating unforgettable musical experiences for weddings, funerals, and corporate events. At Golec Music Studio, students don’t just learn music; they build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the art.
At just 13, Golec’s journey into the world of composition began. By 16, she captured the attention of the music community with her piece “Fantazja Polska,” a heartfelt tribute dedicated to Pope John Paul II. This composition earned her a prestigious honorable mention at the “Patri Patriae” All-Polish Composers Competition, marking her official recognition as a composer. “Fantazja Polska” was premiered in 1997 at the Ars Cameralis Silesiae Superioris Festival in Katowice, Poland, performed by the duo Beata Golec and Miroslaw Makowski. The score of this piece was preserved in the Vatican.
Golec’s contributions to the annual Women in Music Festival in Rochester, New York, have made a significant impact on the contemporary music scene. Among her showcased works are “Four Preludes” and “Phobia,” both evocative pieces for piano, alongside a rich array of compositions like “Forests,” “Toccata,” and the atmospheric “Clouds,” which brings together marimba and vibraphone. Her versatility is further exemplified in “Toccata No. 1” for organ solo and the dynamic “Minimal Talk” for trumpet and piano. The haunting beauty of “Ocean” and the introspective “Falling” round out her impressive repertoire. Serving as the assistant director during the 2011-2012 season, Golec played a pivotal role in supporting and promoting women’s voices in music, fostering a community of creativity and collaboration. Her work continues to inspire both performers and audiences alike.
Dr. Golec debuted at Carnegie Hall in May 2005 and performed there again in 2006. In the spotlight from October 2006 to April 2007, Golec captured hearts as the Artist of the Month at the prestigious Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition. She clinched first prize in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, she continued to shine, earning the second prize—a testament to her dedication and artistry in the world of piano.
She founded Young Musicians Concerts in 2016. These concerts are organized twice a year and serve as fundraisers for the food pantries at Holy Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows Churches to support the homeless and those in need of food. Over the years, her thoughts have been circling around the fact that young musicians do not have enough opportunities to perform or to connect with other artists. Another thought of hers was that most concerts cause a significant amount of stress to the performers. She was aware of the fact our Rochester community needed food and other resources to help those in need. And that is how The Young Musicians’ Concerts came about.
The first mission of the Concerts is to provide a stress-free environment for the performers. The musicians do not have to have their music memorized, nor is the performance order predetermined (no printed programs). Dr. Golec begins each recital with her own composition (she leads by example) and then invites students to come to the piano and play or sing. Each student introduces themselves and announces the music selections they are about to perform. The second mission of the Concerts is to raise funds for important community outreach programs such as the Food Pantries at Holy Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows Churches. The next concert is scheduled for November 9, 2025, at 1 pm at Our Mother of Sorrows located at 5000 Mount Read Blvd in Rochester, New York.
In August 2025, Golec Music Studio was the proud sponsor of “Unmasking the Silence” Masquerade Ball to raise awareness and to support local mental health organizations.
In October 2024 Golec participated in ROC the Runway Fashion Show Fundraiser. She walked the runway to raise funds to support a fellow musician Katy Eberts who was paralyzed in a motor vehicle accident in 2023. Golec raised money not just through her active participation in the show but by advertising and by encouraging her clients and students to purchase seats and VIP tables at the event. Thanks to her effort several VIP seats have been purchased by the Golec Music Studio clients.
Also in October 2024, Golec presented a multimedia faculty recital at State University of New York in Geneseo in Doty Hall. The program consisted of her original compositions set to image installations by local photographers. The photographers in her concert were not aware of the emotional content of each piece and prepared their image interpretations based solely on the musical landscape of each piece.
In December 2024 she presented a holiday concert for the Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club in Rochester.
Dr. Golec has been an active supporter of community-based events:
In September 2016 she presented a mini recital devoted to the victims of 9/11 at Our Mother of Sorrows Church. In September 2015 she presented a faculty recital at SUNY Geneseo commemorating the 9/11 victims with her own compositions as well as modern pieces by American and European women composers.
Dr. Golec organized benefit concerts at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rochester, NY during her tenure there as the music director in 2008- 2016. She invited many local ensembles, vocalists and instrumentalists to participate in this fundraising project. The concerts were presented twice a year, and all the proceeds supported the Supper Program at the church.
Please visit Golec’s website for the full list of upcoming events, including a photo exhibit coming this October!
www.beatagolec.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My choices were empathetic leadership, adaptability and integrity. My 13-year-old son’s key words were perseverance, tenacity and integrity.
Authentic Leadership:
Authentic leadership is based on vulnerability, honesty, accountability and treating others with compassion. It is exhibited through self-presentation, efficient communication, active listening but mainly through the way we treat others. Empathetic leadership is based on understanding the needs of others and striving to meet them. My goal is to build trust, strong relationships and support the growth of others. These in turn improve the workplace and classroom environment, sustainability and morale.
Critical, despotic and judgmental “leadership” is short-lived, causes trauma, limits communication and collaboration, and prevents inventiveness and idea sharing. I was a victim of supervisors of this type and still remember the stress and actual physical pain each time I had to work with this type of individuals.
My intention is to lead by giving an example and to “walk the walk.” I like to embark on collaborative projects and to instill a sense of belonging and meaning in the young generation of students and musicians. I want the young generation to be proud of their work and creativity, to truly own their inventions and to be confident in presenting them to others.
Adaptability:
Adaptability relates to resilience. It translates to being open to changes in our lives. It can be extremely challenging, but it proves we are capable of flexibility and versatility. It means we are open to change. And, due to the fact our circumstances are evolving rapidly and often within a short notice, it is a very valuable skill in today’s world.
Changing continents, changing languages, and changing cultures (including cuisine, work-related culture, and everyday procedures and transactions) have taught me how to adjust on a spot.
My profession (performer, leader, organizer, and educator) has taught me to stay open-minded, to use critical thinking, clear communication, and to seek opportunities to grow in situations which might seem challenging or impossible to solve.
As an educator, I strive to address the needs of very young pupils, neurodiverse children and adults, adult learners who have high expectations of their growth yet with limited physical agility due to age, illness, lack of flexibility or memory loss, those who are retired and are looking for a new sense in their lives, and those who gave up on music but are coming back to it decades later to experience its healing power. I prepare students for NYSSMA competitions, music theater and choral auditions, college and graduate school auditions and job interviews. The versatility of my students’ and clients’ needs requires highly developed adaptability.
Integrity:
I am beyond thankful to my parents for instilling in me strong moral principles. They provided me with a moral compass that cannot be broken. And now it is my turn to teach my son about the same values. Both in my personal and professional life I am dedicated to treating all individuals with respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
If I only had a decade of my earthly life left to enjoy, I would not change a thing. I would continue teaching, being involved in the community initiatives, and above all, I would nourish the precious relationships with my family, especially my son. I would envision more traveling and celebrating during our time together. Family is the most treasured value to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beatagolec.com
Image Credits
Kinga Karpati, Gil Maker, John Retallack, Nadine Sherman.
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