Alena Budziňáková-Palus

Alena Budziňáková-Palus is a renowned Slovak accordionist, recognized as one of the leading figures in her home country's accordion scene. She has been living and working in Poland since 2009, where she has continued to break stereotypes about the origins and performance potential of accordion music. Alena's musical education includes studies at the Conservatory of Kosice, Academy of Music in Kraków, Wien Privatuniversität Conservatory, and Hochschule für Musik Detmold, from which she graduated with honors. Her repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary music, and she is known for combining emotional charm with energetic performances. Alena is also a member of the acclaimed duoAccosphere, which she co-founded with Grzegorz Palus in 2011. The duo has performed extensively across Europe and beyond, winning numerous awards and premiering works by contemporary composers.

Alena's recent releases include albums such as "Accosphere," "In a moment... for accordion duo," and "Fairy-Tale Stories," showcasing her versatility and collaboration with other artists. She regularly participates in world premieres of contemporary accordion compositions and has performed with orchestras like the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra and the Polish Art Philharmonic. Her contributions to the music world are marked by her involvement in various chamber projects and her role as a juror at international accordion competitions. In 2023, Alena obtained a doctoral degree in Musical Arts from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, further solidifying her position as a respected figure in classical music.