Currently based in southeast Queensland, Czech-Australian pianist Sarka Budinska is a sought-after collaborative pianist, chamber musician, Czech language/diction coach for singers, and piano tutor. She holds the position of sessional accompanist at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and University of Queensland.   

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Sarka’s keen interest in vocal repertoire brought her to the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program, where she worked on multiple productions as repetiteur and chorus master. These include Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, conducted by Simone Young AM, Nicolai’s Die lustige Weibern von Windsor, conducted by Ward Stare, Schubert’s Der häusliche Krieg and Lortzing’s Die Opernprobe, under the baton of Johannes Fritzsch. She also collaborated with UQ Singers on Verdi’s Requiem and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, both conducted by Dane Lam (2022). 

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A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Sarka has broad experience with instrumental and vocal soloists, choirs, and chamber ensembles across the Czech Republic, and performed at venues including the Rudolfinum and Smetana Concert Hall.

Sarka’s Australian chamber music engagements include performing with the Gold Coast Piano Quartet as part of 4MBS Festival of Classics in 2022 and 2023. For Opera Queensland, Sarka appeared in recital alongside Australian bass Conal Coad for the Studio Series in 2023.