Magdalene Rolka was born in Chicago and started playing piano soon after, at the age of three. She started performing when she was five years old and played her first full recital at age ten. She spent her childhood immersed in music, performing around Chicago at beautiful performance venues such as Chicago's Orchestra Hall, The Chicago Cultural Center and at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she played for Mayor Daley. Magdalene completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Miami. Upon graduating, Magdalene joined the faculty of the University of Miami Piano Preparatory Program where, in addition to private piano lessons, she taught classes of Group Piano, Music Theory, and Aural Skills for four years. Magdalene received her Master of Arts degree in Music/Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College, where she had the rare privilege to study with and perform for esteemed philosopher, Maxine Greene. Magdalene currently teaches students ages 4 through 96. When she has free time, she writes and records her own music/songs.