e-Directory of Ukrainian Women Success Stories MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
From the Library to the Stage, Poland
Artistic profile
UA woman’s journey resembles a modern-day Cinderella story. When she arrived in Poland after fleeing the war in Ukraine, she worked in an ordinary library.
Although she found stability with an employment contract, housing, and supportive people around her, her dreams reached far beyond — to the grand stage. Today, UA woman is a singer with Camerata Silesia, one of the most prominent vocal ensembles in Silesia.
Her migration story began like that of many Ukrainian refugees: a long journey, difficult first months of adaptation, fears of losing herself in a new country, and worries about her family. UA woman, who has Polish roots, arrived in Poland in spring of 2022, thanks to evacuation efforts by the Zhytomyr Regional Union of Poles. Three weeks later, her parents, including her father who had suffered a stroke, were also safely evacuated. The municipality of Pilica welcomed them warmly, treating them like family.
The Journey to Success
UA woman’s passion has always been singing. She seized every opportunity to perform at concerts, often in charity projects. Just five days after arriving in Poland, she sang at a major fundraising concert at the Silesian Stadium, broadcast on Polish television, which raised half a million złoty for Ukraine.
While working in the library and leading music classes for children and adults, UA woman persistently sought a way into the professional music world. She applied to music academies in Katowice, Wrocław, Szczecin, and Warsaw, but was often told she was ‘too old’ or faced bureaucratic obstacles. She did not give up. Instead, she networked, attended auditions, and connected with musicians and conductors in Poland. Her persistence eventually led her to perform with choirs, sometimes on a voluntary basis, and she continued honing her craft despite many setbacks.
In 2024, UA woman was awarded a two-month scholarship at the Silesian Philharmonic. Soon after, she auditioned for the renowned Camerata Silesia ensemble. Despite initial fears that the ensemble’s standards were beyond her reach, she succeeded and officially became a full-time member on 23 October 2024.
Achievements and Impact
UA woman now sings with Camerata Silesia at the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra Hall (NOSPR) in Katowice. Her repertoire includes works by Ukrainian baroque and classical composers such as Dmytro Bortniansky, Maksym Berezovsky, and Artem Vedel, which she also helped Polish singers pronounce correctly.
Her dedication has earned her recognition, including the honorary title of Ambassador of Zhytomyr Region for her engagement in socially significant events. Beyond personal achievements, she continues to plan future projects: recording an album of Ukrainian songs and performing a solo concert with a Ukrainian composer.
UA woman’s story is not only about artistic success but also about resilience, community building, and the importance of pursuing one’s passions even in a new country.
UA woman’s advice for those searching for themselves
The path to self-fulfilment can be difficult, especially in a new environment. However, UA woman’s story proves that it is possible to find your place in the sun. Here are some of her tips for those who do not want to give up on their dreams.
Try. Every experience is a step forward. Even if something does not work out, failures will bring you valuable knowledge and bring you closer to success.
Knock on every door. Do not be afraid to make friends, ask about opportunities, get involved in projects. Out of a hundred doors, at least one will open.
Don’t be afraid. We are often held back by the opinions of others or our own fears. UA woman was held back by the thought that even Poles find it difficult to get into Camerata. Nevertheless, she went to the audition. Don’t give in to your fears. Until you try, you won’t know what you’re capable of.
Don’t give up on your passions. Do what you love. Retraining is good, especially in the early stages of adaptation, but don’t give up on what you love. It is your passion that will help you find your place in the sun.
Appreciate every moment. Even small successes are important. Every new person you meet or new event you experience can open up new opportunities for you.
Believe in yourself. Even if everything seems hopeless, remember: it’s always darkest before the dawn. The road to fulfilling your dreams can be difficult, but every attempt brings you closer to your goal. Don’t give up, move forward and enjoy the journey itself.
Media Sources of the Story
Based on publicly available interviews and reports.
Self-reflection questions
Now let’s reflect on the story. Read the following questions and try answering it.
- How do you relate to UA woman’s persistence in pursuing her passion despite being told she was “too old” or facing bureaucratic barriers?
- What fears or doubts sometimes hold you back from trying new opportunities, and how could you overcome them?
- UA woman combined temporary work with pursuing her dream. How might you balance practical needs with following your passion?
- In what ways can building networks and “knocking on every door” open new paths for your personal or professional growth?
- UA woman values small successes along the way. What recent small achievement of yours could you appreciate more as part of your longer journey?
Self-check questions
Read each of the 5 questions carefully and select the best answer from the options provided.