"The world knows them. The people embrace them. The  Borowsky Family/American Virtuosi are more than universal. These five members carry in their blood an abundance of love for the arts and people. Their music unites hearts, opens doors, and makes the sun shine for everyone… I've seen them and still feel the rhythm and melody of their music. That's great music. That's the music of their souls which inspires, uplifts, and motivates for a happy and productive life." -The Cumanayagua Report (Cuba)
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The Borowsky Family has been called "the von Trapp Family of Baltimore" and hailed as "American Virtuosi" by international press. ​The professional expertise of their musicianship has been acknowledged at the highest level: critically acclaimed performances at major venues and events, from multiple performances at Carnegie Hall to the Beijing Olympics. They have performed collectively and as soloists in over 80 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, wowing audiences from Paris to Hanoi, Rio de Janeiro to Jerusalem and New York to Tokyo. They have received awards and prizes for musicianship from major competitions, including the Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Chopin International Competitions. They have earned recognitions for service from social, government, and arts organizations, most notably the Paderewski Award for Distinguished Contributions to Society and Culture and the Jewish-Lithuanian Community Award. Their professional recordings on ICRecords, Muza, Melodya, and CRS have been enjoyed by listeners around the world and featured on radio and television broadcasts. They have frequently been featured as soloists with orchestras, performing major concerto repertoire as well as works written specifically for them by contemporary composers. The American Virtuosi have performed in the Middle East, China, Indonesia, Cuba, and Baltic States as American musical ambassadors, under the theme "Music: The Best Bridge for All People. ​People of all ages and from diverse cultural backgrounds worldwide have delighted in the family’s sensitive and masterful interpretation of the works of legendary composers, as well as their original compositions that take listeners on an interactive, imaginative journey.
"It's hard to find a family more musically gifted than the Borowskys. They've been given a rock star reception in countless countries. International press has given them rave reviews. It takes a while to realize when reading the glowing testimonials, however, that they music they're playing isn't the next big thing. It's classical." -The Towerlight (USA)
"The Borowsky family made us aware of the value of music in society. We applaud their extraordinary artistry. They are an exemplary role model for families everywhere." -Tianjin Times (China)
"Like a Baltimore Version of the Family Von Trapp, the Borowsky Family entertains audiences around the world with their classical music performances." -Lisa Simeone (NPR)

Awards and Honors

Both Cecylia and Charles have received the Paderewski Award for Outstanding Contributions to Society and Culture. Frances, Emmanuel and Elizabeth were awarded the Erick Friedman Prize for Outstanding Young Musicians, which led to their debut at New York City’s famous Carnegie Hall in October 2004. Individually, family members have received honors in a variety of esteemed competitions:  the W.C. Byrd Young Artists Competition; Danczowski Cello Competition; Tchaikovsky Competition; Pablo Casals Cello Competition; Aldo Parisot International Cello Competition; J.S. Bach International Competition; Cassado International Cello Competition (Florence); (Michigan); Chopin Foundation of the United States Scholarship; Mary Graham Lasley Concerto Competition; Levine Chamber Music Competition and the Peggy Friedman – Yale Gordon Competition, among others. Emmanuel was featured on NPR's nationally syndicated radio show, "From the Top."

Discography

The Borowsky discography features recordings standard literature, music by contemporary composers and their own original compositions.

Academic Degrees Earned

Collectively, the family holds degrees from prestigious institutions including Yale University, Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, University of Maryland, Towson University, Moscow Conservatory of Music (Russia),  Trinity College of Music (London), Icelandic Academy of the Arts (Iceland), Chopin Academy of Music (Warsaw), Catholic University of Lublin (Poland) and Folkwang University of the Arts (Germany).
​In addition, they have received honorary degrees from universities in Europe and Asia.

Paying it Forward

Each July, the Borowskys spend two weeks as artists in residence at The International Music Institute and Festival USA, a program they founded in 2003. This program brings outstanding young musicians from around the U.S. and the world to Maryland where they participate in two weeks of learning and performing under the guidance of Borowsky family members and renowned teacher-performers.

career highlights

  • The family officially began exploring the world together in the spirit of music in when Cecylia toured Poland and brought 10-year-old Elizabeth along as a featured soloist. 
  • 11-year-old Emmanuel performed the Vivaldi violin concerto in A minor in Washington, D.C. at the National Basilica for 9,000 attendees, with Cecylia directing an all-cello orchestra and Elizabeth performing the piano part on harpsichord as part of the famed German Thomanerchor’s tour of the United States.
  • Emmanuel, Cecylia and Elizabeth each performed a concerto with the Polish Sinfonietta, which was broadcast globally on the POL-SAT network. 
  • Elizabeth and Emmanuel were featured in the Kumho Child Prodigies concert series in Seoul, Korea and later toured Poland, giving more than 30 recitals, performances with orchestras in Poznan, Rzezow, Katowice and Lublin
  • In November 1999 through January 2000, the family traveled to Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, performing recitals, and concerts as soloists with the Israeli Soloists and National Conservatory of Jordan. 
  • In September 2000, Cecylia, Emmanuel and Elizabeth performed at the UNESCO and International Music Council conference on “Local Music Heritage in the Age of Globalization” in Amman, Jordan. Emmanuel represented North America at the World Child Prodigies concert with Elizabeth as his accompanist. Elizabeth also accompanied famous soprano Teresa Kubiak and renowned violinist Erick Friedman for their solo recitals, while Cecylia delivered a joint concert with prominent pianist Krystian Zimerman.
  • 2001 brought the Borowskys to Jakarta, Indonesia, where they were greeted by thousands of locals who crowded around to hear classical music, a genre that was largely unfamiliar to them being played on instruments many of them had never seen in person. 
  • In 2002 and 2003, Elizabeth, Emmanuel and Frances embarked on a Scandinavian tour, which included visits to Sweden, Denmark and Norway. 
  • Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Frances were awarded the Erick Friedman Prize for Outstanding Young Musicians, resulting in their Carnegie Hall debut in October 2004
  • In 2005, Emmanuel had the opportunity to share his music at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany with 400,000 young people from over 200 countries. 2005 and 2007 were marked by musical adventures for all in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Germany and Poland.
  • They were invited and sponsored by the government of China to perform welcome concerts celebrating the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The “One World, One Dream, One Family” tour included diplomatic meetings, recitals and a gala performance with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, which featured each family member performing a concerto and culminated in a performance of their original work “Music From Around the World."
  • After earning rave reviews for a performance at the Dilsberg Castle in Germany, the Borowskys were asked to return as artists-in-residence for the summer of 2008. Their three-month residency residency as well as the regular concerts they performed throughout Germany during that time sharpened their skills and magical chemistry as an ensemble and inspired their love of composing together, resulting in the first truly collaborative work:  “Postcards from Dilsberg.” 
  • The Young German Symphony Orchestra featured the Borowskys as soloists for their USA 2008 tour, performing the Barber Cello Concerto and the Beethoven Triple Concerto in concerts throughout Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York
  •  In 2009, the family spent two weeks in Ukraine, performing in major concert halls in Kiev and Lviv as well as local community halls and schools of music.
  • In 2010, the Borowskys were featured performers for official events organized by The American Tribute to Chopin in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin. Events included conferences, workshops, concerts, recitals, and master classes throughout the USA, including performances at the Embassy of Poland in Washington D.C. and the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City.
  • In 2011 they toured Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, performing with the St. Christopher Orchestra and Šiauliai Chamber Orchestra, and meeting with ambassadors, ministers of culture, artists, musicians and educators.
  • In 2011 and 2012, the Borowskys were personally invited by eminent pianist Brian Ganz to perform special chamber music concerts. 
  • In January 2012, the American Virtuosi’s talents were brought to Cuba for the family’s “Music:  The Best Bridge for All People” tour. The Borowskys graced stages at the Instituto Superior de Arte and Havana Cathedral as well as in schools and community centers. 
  • In 2012 the Mayor of Baltimore released an official citation congratulation the family for representing the city in the U.S. and abroad.  
  • In 2013 they returned to the Baltic countries for a tour that culminated in the premiere of their composition “In Memoriam” on June 14 – the Day of Mourning and Hope – at the Pažaislis Festival in Kaunas, Lithuania, under the patronage of the President of Lithuania. 
  • General Edward Rowny  invited the Borowskys to perform a concert at the Embassy of Poland for the Paderewski Scholarship Fund in 2013 and 2014.
  • In 2014, they performed 17 concerts in Germany and Poland, including at the Krzystof Penderecki European Centre for Music and the Frankfurt Jewish Community Center.
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