FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Echoes of Europe” Concert Illuminates Orchard Lake’s Galeria with Music, Art, and Heritage
Featuring Soprano Dominika Zamara, Pianist Vanessa Kwiatkowski, and a Special Four-Hands Husband-and-Wife Performance
Orchard Lake, MI – The Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake (PICROL) welcomed a full audience to the Galeria for “Echoes of Europe: Arias and Songs from Poland and Beyond,” a concert celebrating European musical tradition and the long-standing cultural mission of Orchard Lake Schools.
Internationally acclaimed soprano Dominika Zamara led the performance with pianist Vanessa Kwiatkowski, filling the Galeria’s warm brick interior with a program that resonated deeply with guests from across the community at large. The serene winter landscape outside and the newly installed Winter Exhibit inside set a reflective, seasonal tone for the afternoon. Curated by Galeria Manager Elijah Majeski, the exhibit showcased both the festive spirit of the season and the depth and breadth of PICROL’s permanent collections through various artistic mediums.
Reflecting on the occasion, Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs, noted the significance of the afternoon for Orchard Lake. She shared that the event “was a beautiful expression of our mission,” adding, “Surrounded by the Winter Exhibit that showcases both the festive season and the depth of our collections, the event reflected the vision of Father Joseph Dąbrowski who founded this campus on faith, education, and the preservation of Polish heritage. We thank the Wikiera Foundation and the Orchard Lake Schools for bolstering what we do. Their support and vision pave our future.”
Musical Highlights and a Four-Hands Surprise
The program featured beloved works from Poland and across Europe, performed with expressive clarity by Zamara and Kwiatkowski. One of the most memorable moments came when Vanessa Kwiatkowski invited her husband, pianist Jeff Nicholas, to join her for a special four-hands performance of A. Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance op. 72, no. 3, Polka. Their interpretation, filled with warmth, precision, and charm, delighted the audience and brought a familial intimacy to the afternoon.
Zamara reflected on the experience, noting that “performing in the Galeria was a joy. The space is modern, professional, and filled with warmth. I was deeply touched by the reception I received at Orchard Lake and inspired by the talented students I met during our seminar.”
Educational Impact
On December 1, Zamara extended her stay to lead a student seminar for the St. Mary’s Preparatory music program. She offered young musicians direct insight from her international career, guiding them through vocal technique, preparation, and artistic discipline. Students and faculty described the experience as both meaningful and inspiring.
Honoring Orchard Lake’s Legacy
Founded in 1885 by Father Joseph Dąbrowski, Orchard Lake Schools has upheld a mission rooted in faith formation, education, and the preservation of Polish American culture. PICROL continues this legacy through exhibitions, archival stewardship, research, cultural programming, and events like “Echoes of Europe,” which bring together the campus community, supporters, and the community at large through shared heritage.
About the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake
PICROL is one of the most significant Polish American cultural institutions in the United States, dedicated to preserving and promoting Polish and Polish American history, art, and culture. Through exhibitions, archival care, educational initiatives, and public events, the Institute serves as a cultural bridge for audiences across Michigan and beyond.
For more information about upcoming programs and exhibitions, please visit www.picrol.org or contact:
Ania Bieciuk
Associate Director for Polonia Affairs
info@picrol.org | 248-836-1284