Genre: Classical
Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Biographical

Margarita Pinkosz is a renowned and internationally respected artist, performer, and musical educator. Born into a family of pianists, it is no wonder that Pinkosz followed her lineage and has spent decades devoted to her pursuit of excellence in both the fields of performance and pedagogy. Her expertise crosses the instruments of harpsichord and piano, chamber music, and extends through both piano accompaniment and vocal coaching. It is through vigorous study and then passionate teaching that Pinkosz has left an indelible imprint on her students as well as her colleagues on each stop through her studies and professional music career. 

Beyond music, Margarita is known for her love of chess, dance, interior design, gardening, poetry, writing, a good scary movie, and cybersecurity. Linguistically, reflective of her impressive international presence, Pinkosz speaks seven languages: Polish, Russian, French, English, Ukrainian, Flemish, and Mandarin. Her presence has most recently made a powerful impact on the early music community of the San Francisco Bay Area, which is considered internationally as a hub for Baroque Music in which Pinkosz specializes.

Work

Professionally, Margarita began her career in her own music studio--initially opening in Brussels, Belgium followed by a move to San Francisco, California. Her time spent in San Francisco led to a Teacher Assistant position at City College San Francisco where she taught throughout 2016-17. As she continued to build her home and reputation throughout the Bay Area, she earned a performing position with the Kensington Symphony Orchestra in Berkeley, with whom she also became a Board Director. Pinkosz' tenure with the KSO began in 2019 and continues through today. 

Internationally, toward the end of 2020 and early 2021, she served as a Judge and Translator for the International Juliusz Zarebski Competition in Warsaw, Poland. This prestigious competition, held in a city renowned for its classical music heritage, selects judges based on their expertise and international standing. Her role involved providing critical feedback and assigning prizes, reflecting her authority in the field. Additionally, her translation work for French-Polish-English video recordings during the event demonstrates her multifaceted contributions. Such judging roles are significant, as they require a deep understanding of musical excellence and

Back in the United States at the beginning of 2022, Pinkosz became an accompanist and chamber music player for the Milda Martisius Violin/Viola Studio in San Francisco. There she gained renown for her expertise in sight-reading, improvisation, and transposition, adapting to diverse musical styles across her numerous live performances.

Her continued teaching, performing, and study then landed her a performing spot with the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco in 2023. But from the beginning, dating back to 2004, her private studio in Brussels and then in San Francisco has trained students for competitions and performances, fostering the next generation of musicians. Her recent piano teaching role at École Notre Dame des Victoires in San Francisco underscores her influence in shaping music education.

Accomplishments

What makes the musical career of Margarita Pinkosz so impressive is the longevity of her musical accomplishments. All over the world, for nearly 3 decades, her level of performance and achievement has remained at the highest of levels. In 1996 she earned 1st Prize at the International Piano Competition in Brest, France. Being accepted to participate in the 2005 XV International Chopin Piano Competition—one of the most prestigious in the world—was a meaningful milestone in her artistic journey. And it was in the following year that Pinkosz brought in a 2nd Prize at the Madeleine de Valmalette Piano Competition in Paris.

Since 2020, Ms. Pinkosz' display of musical excellence has become her calling card. During the pandemic she participated in 8 international competitions (7 on harpsichord, 1 on piano) and was awarded prizes in all of them (five 1st Prizes, one 2nd & one 3rd). In 2021 she earned 1st Prize at the North International Music Competition. This well-respected online competition based in London has attracted over 5,000 contestants from over 40 countries and 500 cities since its inception. The following year she won the Platinum Medal at the Canadian-based Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition. 

In 2023, Margarita performed daily concerts and masterclasses at the American Bach Soloists Academy, a globally recognized institution for early music, known for its selective admission and rigorous training under masters like Jeffrey Thomas and Dr. Corey Jamason. Her time at the Academy spotlighted her "exceptional versatility and leadership, contributing to the Academy's mission of advancing baroque music scholarship."

In January and February of 2024, she received an Art Residency invite to "Renewal" at the Project Artaud in San Francisco. She created a mindful workshop called Renewal, featuring one-hour improvisations on crystal and Tibetan singing bowls and piano. This impressive step away from her Classical, piano, and harpsichord backgrounds put on display Pinkosz' passion for creating new, valuable, important art both in her studied fields and beyond.

Later in 2024 she became a Co-Lecturer  at the Community Music Center in San Francisco. The topic involved "Unmeasured Preludes" in Baroque Music, prepared together with Shirley Wong. And continuing on through the same year, Ms. Pinkosz performed harpsichord with the Vallejo Symphony on "4 Seasons" by Vivaldi and Piazzolla. Wrapping up the year, she performed in the United States' premiere of Polish contemporary composer's Bartosz Kowalski's piece "Circles on the Water" with the Kensington Symphony in Berkeley, California under maestro Geoffrey Gallegos.

Fast-forward to April of 2025 and Pinkosz continues to thrive in her Bay Area community. She has been invited for production of five musicals at San Francisco's Adda Clevenger School for their Spring Arts Festival. She received an invitation to play at the Shoah Remembrance Day organized by the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Museum of San Francisco. In addition, another invitation came from the Early Music Society to include Pinkosz in a masterclass with Professor Mark Kroll. She also plans to continue her work with the American Bach Soloists Academy, having been accepted to this prestigious summer program for the second time.

Scholarship

Beyond work and performance, Margarita Pinkosz has been awarded various scholarships and grants based on her continual display of music excellence. In 2009-2011 she earned a scholarship for Alexander Technique Masterclasses in London. And in 2011-2012 she won the Zaleski Scholarship for Ecole Normale Alfred Cortot in Paris. These awards, granted by institutions like the National Funds by the Ministry of Culture in Poland, recognize both her past accomplishments and incredible potential for future contributions to musical society. The selective nature of these grants, based on her demonstrated excellence, underscores her standing and reputation in the field.

Quotes

Beyond family, work and other recognition for various accomplishments, praise from former supervisors and colleagues round out the impact Margarita Pinkosz has had through her talents and abilities.

Cynthia Roberts is a Baroque Violinist and Professor at The Juilliard School, and describes Margarita as having an "extraordinary ability in classical and baroque music." She continues:

"Classical and baroque music is a cornerstone of global cultural heritage, demanding exceptional technical skill, historical knowledge, and artistic sensitivity. Baroque music, in particular, requires mastery of period instruments like the harpsichord and adherence to historically informed performance practices. Less than 1% of musicians excel in this niche area due to its complexity and specialized training. Ms. Pinkosz's harpsichord and pianist work has significantly advanced this field through her innovative performances and educational contributions."

Nina Kuzma-Sapiejewska is a pianist who The New York Times called "an expert on Chopin" and The Washington Star deemed "absolutely first rate." She explains that "Margarita distinguishes herself with exceptional tone quality, polished musicianship and a strong sense of Polish traditional and classical music canon." And continues, "Ms. Pinkosz is well versed in the culturally unique artform that is Polish traditional music and has been practicing in the field for over 20 years--a well established artist in the field of Polish music. Her experience spans over two decades as a performer and educator. Based on my many years of experience in the field of Polish music, I can definitely attest to her high level of achievement in this area."

Geoffrey Gallegos is Music Director and Conductor of the Kensington Symphony Orchestra (KSO) in the San Francisco Bay Area. On Ms. Pinkosz' principal keyboard artist position for the orchestra, he shares that she "always distinguished herself as an artist and musician of the highest caliber. She has conducted herself with a high degree of professionalism with respect to preparation, reliability, and her ability to effectively work with fellow musicians and colleagues in the KSO. It has always been a pleasure to work with [her] and I have no doubt that these attributes are common in her other working relationships. Whenever we prepare Polish music for the concert, I ask for her artistic guidance and expert instruction. The orchestra members appreciate her knowledgeable remarks that are critical to our interpretation of the music and according to the style." Gallegos has also served as Music Director and Conductor of Golden Gate Philharmonic since 2001, and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor since 2018. Additionally, he has served as a Director of Instrumental Music at the prestigious Menuhin/Dowling instrumental music program; and finally, since 2005, a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Music Center in San Francisco.

Polish music specialist and pianist Jean Micault shares, "She is a great representative of new Polish musicianship, and an educator that always brings a unique perspective and a lot of knowledge in all the projects she is working on." Micault's emphasis centers on the works of Fryderyk Chopin. From 1949 to 2006, Micault served as a professor at the École Normale de Musique de Paris-Alfred Cortot in Paris, France and as the successor to the chair of Walter Gieseking and Andor Földes at the Musikhochschule in Saarbrücken for 11 years.

Postscript

Margarita Pinkosz has studied, taught, performed and been awarded for her continual pursuit of musical excellence for decades, particularly in the field of Polish and Early Music. Her contributions speak for themselves, putting on full display that she not only learns and achieves based on her own talents and merits, but also in her contributions back to others. Through her private teaching as well as through her time spent teaching masterclasses, at academies and post-secondary-level institutions, Ms. Pinkosz has indeed influenced a new generation of musicians and audiences, helping spread her love and expertise in music to others. Learn more about Margarita Pinkosz and connect with her via her website: margaritapinkosz.godaddysites.com.

Bio by Wiley Koepp