Bio

Versatile and innovative, Mikolaj (Miko) Lisiak's conducting balances a modern approach to traditional repertoire with a passionate dedication to contemporary expression. His holistic musical perspective, drawing from a love of diverse genres, creates performances of singular authenticity and excitement.

Currently pursuing conducting studies at Southampton University under Rory Macdonald, Miko serves as Junior Choir Conductor at St. Michael's Bassett, a position he has held for three years. He simultaneously fulfills roles as Assistant Musical Director with University of Southampton Voices and regularly appears as guest conductor with SU Sitz and various ad hoc ensembles.

His previous appointments include serving as Assistant Musical Director for Southampton University Concert Band (2022-23) and Southampton University Symphonic Wind Orchestra (2023-24). In 2019, he founded and directed the award-winning London-based children's choir "Aura".

His teaching experience includes a year of working as a music technician and teacher at West London Free School (2021-22) and since April 2023, regularly running workshops for the Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub. He also spent time programming a series of classical concerts for children in West London: "Musical Moments for Children," patronized by HRH the Duchess of Kent.

Recent highlights include teaching and workshopping the Children's Chorus for OperaUpClose's touring production of Vaughan Williams' Riders to the Sea in collaboration with the SIoW Music Hub; and leading international tours to the Czech Republic and to the Rhineland with the Symphonic Winds and Concert Band.

He is currently spearheading a significant project, recording Lutoslawski's 20 Polish carols in arrangements by himself and Avigayil Yacobi Padan, featuring University of Southampton student and alumni musicians and children from the Polish diaspora.

Miko began his conducting journey with choral ensembles in 2019, expanding to orchestral conducting in 2021, and commencing formal orchestral conducting studies in 2022. His education at the University of Southampton featured specialisations in contemporary piano performance and a composition portfolio dissertation under Matthew Shlomowitz. Early in his studies, he also benefited from mentorship by contemporary composer Edward Henderson and conductor James Day.

With a distinctive cross-genre sensibility informing his interpretations, Miko continues to explore innovative ways of experiencing music while honoring traditional repertoire, creating performances that speak meaningfully to contemporary performers and audiences.