Today we’d like to introduce you to Wojciech Milewski.
Hi Wojciech, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! First, thank you for having me for this feature – I’m very excited to participate! I’m originally from Warsaw, Poland, and moved to New York City as a child in the early 1990s. Given the political and economic uncertainties back in Europe after the Cold War ended, my parents and I came over to search for new opportunities. I had many interests growing up, playing many sports, participating in music and theater, and much more! I always thought of how amazing it would be to pursue a career in the arts, but it always seemed so out of reach! I went to college at SUNY Oswego, initially pursuing a journalism degree, but quickly added on to a music major. I just loved music and wanted to study it a lot, at least! We had terrific professors at Oswego, which allowed me to grow quickly and inspired me to continue pursuing music! The journalism degree was eventually replaced by an international relations degree, which I figured would be my sensible career choice. Working for international corporations or governments always made perfect sense to me! I was a child of two cultures, was passionate about history/foreign affairs/current events, spoke multiple languages, and loved bringing people together. It just seemed like a natural fit! I was fortunate to be accepted into an internship program at the US Department of State towards the end of my degree program. I loved the experience and the work and learned so much about myself. Yet, at the same time, I realized it was the first time I was not actively pursuing music. It was a strange feeling, and something felt very wrong about that!
Once I returned from the internship, I decided to defer my employment offer there and pursue music. I figured I wouldn’t always be able to pursue music, so why not take a chance on a dream? I discovered conducting when I returned to school from the internship, determined to find a music career that fit me well. It probably checked all the same boxes for me that my international relations work would, but I also had the chance to do it in the music field! So, the decision was made! I began attending conducting workshops, lessons, and more and started the process of applying to graduate schools. That was 2011! Fortunately, I was accepted into a Master’s program at the University of New Mexico.
At the time, I was the only orchestral conducting student in the program and received so much hands-on experience. I’m forever grateful to my teacher, Jorge Perez-Gomez, for his trust in me, the opportunities he gave me, and how much I learned about music from him. After graduating, I felt ready to take on the world and began applying for bigger jobs. The first one I applied to? Our very own Summerville Orchestra! I was invited to participate in an in-person audition; the rest is history. I’ve been in Summerville for 8 years and have also taken on positions as Music Director of Charleston Opera Theater and teaching positions at the College of Charleston.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It certainly has not been a smooth road! In a way, I’m very thankful for that. If it were a smooth road, I’d be as grateful for how I’ve grown and everything I’ve learned. The career is quite difficult sometimes, but it also offers much in return if you stick with it and stay positive. The biggest challenge is that it can easily become an isolated and lonely career – very few conductors are around, and we’re often introverts studying and working at home! That being said, there are many more conductors than conducting positions, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at interviews, workshops, or competitions. I’m an empirical learner and was fortunate to land this fantastic position in Summerville. We had lofty goals when I first came in, but this orchestra and community have worked incredibly towards achieving them. It’s safe to say we’ve all grown together so much, and I’m so fortunate for everything we’ve done along the way!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an orchestral conductor, the simplest way to describe what I do would be that my primary function is to prepare orchestras for public performances. I often compare conducting to an iceberg – many people believe the conductor’s work takes place at the performance, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Everything under the water? Rehearsals, meetings, coaching, professional development, and more. So much of what we do takes place in rehearsals – where the orchestra comes together, and it’s safe to say we grow together. We work on our music for the next performance, learn new skills, gain self-confidence, and build relationships with each other. It’s a very sacred and special place, and it’s honestly my favorite part of my career. It’s an opportunity to work with people of all backgrounds, skill levels, and walks of life and bring them together for a common cause.
I think that would probably be what I’m most proud of and what sets me apart from others. This is the central part of the job, but I also firmly believe in creating community. That’s what makes us so successful – we have musicians who are so passionate and dedicated so much, and the orchestra wouldn’t be much without them! As I always say, without our passionate community of musicians, I’d be a wannabe Harry Potter waving my baton around in an empty room! I care deeply about creating communities without audiences and musicians, and I believe that to be the key to our success.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Absolutely! Finding the right mentor or knowing how to reach out to others in the business is often difficult. I didn’t have much to go off of when I started, so a lot of it was trial and error for me. I’ve had the great fortune of having amazing and not-so-amazing experiences, which have helped me identify what to look for in a mentor. The biggest thing is – trust. Anyone interested in conducting has to align with a potential mentor regarding personality and values. It’s one thing if they’re a fantastic conductor, but if you don’t agree with their methodology, processes, pedagogy, or communication, it won’t be easy to make it work. Also, what are they passionate about? Does it align with who you are or what you want to emulate? Trusting your mentor will open up many doors and opportunities and help you grow more in the industry. The same can be said of other fields, but it’s essential in a field as delicate as conducting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wojciechmilewski.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conductorwm?igsh=dXhzbWxiOTltMDZ0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WojciechM7
Image Credits
Rob Salyer Lori Anderson-Bowen
