Polonia - Polish Folk
Dance Ensemble of Chicago, USA
Biography of
Cecylia Roznowska - the Grand Marshall of the Polish Constitution
Day Parade, 5 May 2007
After completing my high school
studies, I was fortunate to receive both my Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees in cultural education in Gdansk, Poland. I
finished my choreographic studies in Warsaw, Poland and at the same
time took classes that specialized in the distinct dance and culture
of the various regions of Poland. My studies focused on the
traditional folk art and folk dances from throughout Poland. The
academic experience I received in Gdansk was then blended with dance
company experiences I had in Warsaw.
I organized the folk dance ensemble
“Warmia” in 1954. Warmia was allowed to compete in European and
other folk festivals throughout the world. While teaching
choreography at the Academy of Choreography at Lublin University in
Lublin, Poland I continued to study folk art and daces. I taught
there for fifteen years.
In 1981, I served as a consultant to
Polish folk groups throughout the United States. While working U.S.
groups I learned that folk dance, integrated with folk music, folk
costumes and traditional language was an integral part of the Polish
and Polish American communities.
When I permanently moved to the
United States in 1984, I co-founded the Northwest Center of
Traditional Polish Folk Dancers in Chicago, Illinois. This center
consists of many groups of dancers. The youngest begins learning the
elements of dance at the age of three, and at the same we time we
teach them Polish heritage, music and traditions. All of our classes
are conducted bilingually. The older students are taught more
complex and challenging dances. The students continue into their
teens. I have been fortunate to teach choreography to all of our age
groups.
Parents strengthen their own
understanding of Polish heritage while enjoying their children’s
performances. The Northwest Center of Traditional Polish Folk
Dancers is frequently invited to community activities where we
perform a portion of, or the main part of, ethnic or heritage
programs. Such performance venues range from small community
centers, to suburban libraries and park district facilities to
Chicago’s Navy Pier.
We have participated in programs
throughout the world, strengthening the image of the State of
Illinois as a supporter of folk art, traditional dance and
choreography. In 1994, my groups performed in Polish folk dance
festivals in Milwaukee, WI and Winnipeg, Canada, followed by Florida
in 1997. In 1998 and 2000 we performed before Pope John Paul II in
Italy and in Israel. In 2002 the group participated in the CIOFF
Festival in Taiwan, in 2003 at the International Children’s Folk
Festival in Poland and in 2004 at the Festival of Nations in
Hungary. In 2005 the group was awarded the grand prize at the Youth
Folkloria in Bulgaria and participated in the 11th Annual
Folk Festival in Poland. The two work samples submitted along with
this application where filmed by the organizers of the Euro Folk
2005 Festival in Bulgaria.
I have been fortunate to
receive awards from the Polish government for my work preserving and
spreading Polish traditional folk dancing and folk art throughout
the world. I received gold and silver medals of merit from the
Polish government. I have also received awards from Mayor Daley,
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Illinois State Treasurer Judy
Baar Topinka and letters of congratulations from former Illinois
Governor Jim Edgar.
I believe that “folk music” and “folk dance” are
valuable art forms deserving of recognition and appreciation.
Through my work at The Northwest Center of Traditional Polish Folk
Dancers, I am able to share this image with the Polish American
community and others.
Education
1956 -
Choreography Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland.
Master’s
Degree of Choreography.
1954 – Graduate School of Education in Gdansk, Poland.
Bachelors
and Master’s Degree of Cultural Education.
Work Experience
2006-
Created and taught dance program for “Festidanza” Festival in
Peru. Won the main award of the Festival.
2005- Created and taught dance program for Youth Folkloriad Euro
Folk in Losenez, Bulgaria. Won Grand Prix of the Festival.
2005- Prepared program and participated in the 2nd
International Folk Festival in Brusy, Poland.
2004- Participated in the 14th Annual Festival of
Nations in Hungary.
2003- Created and taught program for the International
Children’s Folk Festival in Poland.
2002- Prepared program and participated in prestigious CIOFF
Festival I-Lan in Taiwan.
1998- Invited to perform for the late Pope John Paul UU in Italy
and in Israel.
1997 and 1996- Participated in Polish Folk Dance Festival held
in Milwaukee, WI; Winnipeg, Canada; Miami, Fl.
1981- Visited the United States for the first time as a
consultant to Polish folk groups throughout the country.
1984-2006 – Founder and leading choreographer of the Northwest
Center of Traditional Polish Dancers, Chicago, IL. The Center
consists of many smaller groups such as: “Polonia”, “Mala
Polonia”, “Chopin”, “Warmia”, “Krasnoludki”. The
Center has over 240 students ages 3-23. The Northwest Center of
Traditional Polish Dancers performed at many prestigious events, and
was recognized by local politicians and personalities.
1979- Participated as a speaker at the 20th
International Congress of Dance Educators in Paris, France.
1954- Founded the Folk Dance Ensemble “Warmia” in Olsztyn,
Poland. Trained and choreographed the group for 30 years.
Awards
and Recognitions
1984-
Gold and Silver Medal of Merit from Polish Ministry of Culture,
Warsaw, Poland.
1984-2006 – Annual recognition letters from Mayor Daley of
Chicago , State of Illinois. Treasurer Judy Bar Topinka, and Cook
County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Chicago, IL.
2002- Medal of Committee of Nation Education, Poland.
|
