Graduate of the State Higher School of Music in Krakow, diploma cum laude from the class of flute of Prof. Wacław Chudziak. Post-graduate studies in the Paris Conservatoire, with masters’ classes under the direction of Prof. G. Crunelle.

For many years member of the Polish Radio and Television Orchestra in Krakow, as flutist -soloist. Laureate of several national (Katowice, Łódź) and international (Vienna, Helsinki, Utrecht) music competitions. Former member of Trio Barokowe [Baroque Trio] together with Elżbieta Stefańska and Jerzy Klocek, co-founder of the Warszawskie Trio Harfowe [Warsaw Harp Trio] with Urszula Mazurek and Zdzisław Polonek. Long term member of Zespół MW2 [MW2 ensemble]. Very active as soloist and chamber music player.

Participant of many prestigious music festivals in Poland and abroad. Made numerous recordings for the Polish Radio and TV, and for foreign broadcasting stations. Played concerts with all the Polish orchestras. Conducts flute master classes in Belgium, in the Ukraine (Lviv, Chernivtsi). Member of the jury in many flute competitions – Munich, ARD, Krakow, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Dąbrowa Górnicza.

As a result of her collaboration with composers, many of them – both Polish and foreign – composed music especially for her, among them were: K. Meyer, K. Moszumańska-Nazar, A. Walaciński, B. Schaeffer, K. Fribec.

Prof. Barbara Świątek-Żelazna is the originator and Art Director of the International Flute Competition in Krakow.

Laureate of many awards, distinctions and prizes, including the Award of the Minister of Culture and Art, the Prize of the City of Krakow, the Prize Excellence in Teaching and the Gold Medal “Gloria Artis” for merits to the Culture. Laureate of the prize “Orfeusz 1964” awarded by the Section of Critics of the SPAM, for the most interesting performance during the Festival and for the direction of the artistic exploration.

Titular professor of the Academy of Music in Krakow, holds the function of the Head of the Chair of Winds, Accordion and Percussion. During the years 1999-2002 held the function of the Rector of the Academy of Music in Krakow.
Currently member of the Council for Science in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.