Thomas Witakowski earned his doctorate in conducting from Indiana University at Bloomington.  On an international exchange scholarship, he also studied for a year at Warsaw University, Poland, while completing his dissertation on the music of Karol Szymanowski. After first teaching in Ohio, he returned to his native Buffalo and joined the faculty of the Music Department of Buffalo State University, where he was the vocal coordinator and director of the Chamber Choir and Chorale before becoming the conductor of the University Philharmonia Orchestra.  He also taught a variety of courses in composition, musicianship, and arranging.  He led the Chamber Choir on several tours to Spain and Central Europe and sponsored a group of college music majors for a semester of study in Warsaw. While overseeing their education in Poland, he also taught courses in American music at the Warsaw University Center for American Studies.

For over 32 years, Dr. Witakowski was the music director of the Chopin Singing Society, presently celebrating their 125th year of continuous existence, leading them on choir tours, competitions, countless local performances and their annual gala concerts. For ten years he was also the National Director of the Polish Singers Alliance of America, where he oversaw their tri-annual convention competitions and led their massed choirs in festival concerts.

Closer to home, for over ten years he has been the Director of Music of the Amherst Chamber Orchestra, which recently was awarded a Cullen Foundation Grant to sponsor string workshops for disadvantaged Buffalo city students.  Dr. Witakowski is the recipient of several music and cultural awards, including the rarely given Durewicz Memorial Award for dedication and service to Western New York Polonia.

Dr. Witakowski is also the organist and choir director of the Church of Saint Casimir in Kaisertown and St. Gabriel’s Church in Elma, and in his spare time is an avid gardener and beekeeper.