Graduate of Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, where she studied violin with Professors Mirosław Ławrynowicz, Andrzej Gębski and Janusz Wawrowski, as well as viola with Professor. Piotr Reichert. Teaching Assistant in viola class at the University. Since February 2014, she has been the principal of the viola section of Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra.

In September 2013, she won the 3rd Prize at the prestigious ARD Com­ petition in Munich. Has successfully performed at numerous events at home and abroad: 47th International Ludwig van Beethoven Competition in Hra­dec (2008, 1st prize), 15th International Johannes Brahms Competition in Pörtschach (2008, 1st prize), 8th National Jan Rakowski Viola Competition (2008, 1st prize), International Max Rostal Competition in Berlin (2009, 2nd prize), International Max Reger Chamber Music Competition in Sondershausen (2009, 2nd prize, and special prize for best performance of suite for solo viola by Max Reger), 4th International Michał Spisak Competition (2010, 2nd prize, and Special Prize).

In 2010, she took part in Chamber Music Connects the World project organ­ ised by Kronberg Academy, where she performed with such outstanding musicians, as Gidon Kremer, Tatiana Grindenko, Yuri Bashmet, and Frans Helmerson.

At the turn of September and October 2019, she took part in a concert tour in Italy and Japan with the illustrious pianist Krystian Zimerman, violinist Maria Nowak, and cellist Yuya Okamoto, during which the artists performed piano quartets by J. Brahms. In June 2021, the ensemble gave a series of concerts in Switzerland and Monaco.

Katarzyna Budnik has performed at a number of recognised festivals, incl. Łańcut Music Festival, Muzyka na Szczytach (Music on the Heights) Interna­tional Chamber Music Festival in Zakopane, Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus (at Gidon Kremer’s invitation).

In November 2013, the artist released solo album Viola Recital, for which she was awarded Fryderyk Prize in 2014. For her excellence, she received a scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. She is also holder of a scholarship from the Young Poland programme. In 2013, she was nominated for the Passport Prize of Polityka weekly.