The COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted more than two years, caused artistic activity to be almost completely suspended. For young people eager to present their achievements to the public, it was an exceptionally difficult time. However, an opportunity arose to promote their work online—concerts and competitions organized by various organizations, foundations and music schools. Creating a competition recording (multiple takes and additional meetings) and selecting the best version provided a great opportunity for the young artists to improve themselves, as they could hear themselves the way their audiences hear them during live concerts.
- Małgorzata Stankiewicz (currently studying cello at the Academy of Music in Wrocław) received an honorable mention in June 2021 at the 5th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival.
- Wojciech Łuc received an honorable mention in June 2021 at the 1st National Competition entitled “What Plays in Young Souls” in Ruda Śląska, as well as laureate status in the 5th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival.
- Anna Dąbrowska took second place in June 2021 at the 1st National Competition entitled “What Plays in Young Souls” in Ruda Śląska, and received an honorable mention in the 5th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival; in November 2021, she received an honorable mention in the 6th National Competition organized as part of the “FORTE” Festival; in May 2022, she received a laureate diploma in the 6th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival and took third place at the 8th National Meeting of Young Cellists “wiolonCZELKA” in Ełk; in June 2022, she received an honorable mention in the 1st National Music Competition for students of first- and second-level music schools—the Young Virtuoso Festival in Bydgoszcz.
- Zuzanna Kuśmierz received an honorable mention in June 2021 at the 5th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival; in November 2021, she received an honorable mention in the 6th National Competition organized as part of the “FORTE” Festival; in May 2022, she received a laureate diploma in the 6th National Competition organized as part of the PRESTO Festival and an honorable mention in the National “Wy-Grajcie Razem” Competition in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki; in June 2022, she took second place in the 1st National Music Competition for students of first- and second-level music schools—the Young Virtuoso Festival in Bydgoszcz—and third place in the International Music Competition in Vienna, the “II International Viennese Spring Music Competition 2022”.
Congratulations to the young cello players who worked under the guidance of Dorota Straburzyńska.