Biography
Known for her versatile and thought-provoking performances, Polish-American cellist Angelika Machnik-Jones combines artistic mediums in order to achieve memorable experiences, and bridge the gap between the artist and the audience. Her latest concert presented at the Oklahoma Contemporary in collaboration with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, entitled “From Darkness” took the audience on a journey from darkness to light. The intimate setting of the Te Ata Theatre, combined with lighting complimenting the music of Krzysztof Penderecki, Arvo Part, Peteris Vasks and poetry written by Machnik-Jones, created a unique multi-sensory experience.
In addition to a multitude of special projects and concerts, Angelika holds a busy schedule as a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, recitalist and chamber musician. Her performances have taken her throughout many concerts halls in the United States, her native Poland, and Germany. She has been featured as a soloist with such orchestras as Fort Smith Symphony, Hays Symphony Orchestra, Delta Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra and Oklahoma Community Orchestra. She has performed in multiple summer festivals, including the Texas Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, Eastern Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival and Lancut International Music Festival. She has also been a winner of such competitions as Bacewicz International Chamber Music Competition, Crescendo Music Awards, Gordon Parks Concerto Competition, Hubbard Solo and Chamber Music Competition, and Hays Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.
Dr. Angelika Machnik-Jones is a passionate pedagogue and entrepreneur. In 2013 she founded the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music, which now provides exemplary music education to over two hundred students. In addition to her duties as Director of OCM, she also teaches cello, chamber music and solfège. The students of the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music have been featured in the National Finals for the Music Teachers National Association, as top chair winners with the Oklahoma All-State Orchestra, and prize winners of competitions including the Buttram and Keith String Competitions and South Kansas Symphony Concerto Competition. In 2020, Angelika was awarded the Private Studio Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.
Dr. Machnik-Jones holds degrees from University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University and Oklahoma City University. Her doctoral dissertation, completed in 2021, concerns the research of the Grazyna Bacewicz and Feliks Nowowiejski cello concertos.