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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Janina Czech CHOREOGRAPHY: Barbara Czech, Janina Czech INSTRUCTOR (DUZY): Barbara Czech ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (DUZY): Joe Pawlicki, Wanda Dabkowska INSTRUCTOR (MALY AND SREDNI): Helena Mialszygrosz 
FOUNDER: ZBIGNIEW CZECH The
sudden and unexpected death of Zbigniew Czech (right), the founder
of the Ensemble, was a tremendous shock. H MALY AND SREDNI POLONEZ As
well as Duzy Polonez, Mrs Wasylkowska, suggested that it would
be a good idea to have Polish Dancing for the younger children
as well, The current instructor of Maly and Sredni Polonez is Helena Mialszygrosz, who herself worked her way up from Maly Polonez. Many of the children currently in Maly Polonez, are second and third generation Polonez children. Naturally all youngsters are welcome, and it is wonderful to have the advantage of children from the newer migration as well. , who give such a good example of spoken Polish. Sredni Polonez at practice at the National Theatre in St Kilda before the 35th anniversary concert.
Sredni Polonez at practice at the National Theatre in St Kilda before the 35th anniversary concert. Both sections give numerous performances, including the Polish Sports Festival, and the various Akademie. As well, Sredni since 1986, and Maly since 1995, have participated in the full-length concerts at the National Theatre. Previous instructors have included Jadzia Bielska (Krolikowska), Czarek Karpowicz, Mirek Kusminder and Ania Janiszewska. INSTRUCTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS Over the years, the Ensemble has benefited from many instructors and choreographers. Some names that are readily remembered, include Marian Maj, of course, others include Stanislaw Kowalski (our first Goralskie and Zywieckie dances), Olek Kmiec (Polonez), Czarek Karpowicz, and Ania Janiszewska, a dedicated instructor of the Intermediate section. Current instructors are Barbara Czech, for the Senior Group, assisted by Jozek Pawlicki and Wanda Dabkowska, and Helena Mialsygrosz for the Junior and Intermediate Groups.
POLONEZ ORCHESTRA The Polonez Orchestra has been with the Ensemble since its first concert in 1969. The original members were: Antoni Bandurowicz, Stanislaw Bender, Edward Bielicki, Tadeusz Czarnecki and Irena Janus-Olchowik. Over time Jurek Ruta, Stanislaw Kowalski, Zdzislaw Debowski, Ryszard Gawlowski, Andrzej Krol have joined in with Polonez performances. The
orchestra, always under the direction of Henrryk Ruta,
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Polonez Song and Dance Ensemble. All Rights Reserved
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was the main force and the administration behind the Ensemble.
The large number of concerts and pioneering interstate trips,
as well as the Polonez record, were due to his organisational
ability, his energy and his vision, and his life-long interest
of planning for our youth, whom he saw as the future of tomorrow.
The Ensemble was only one aspect of Zbigniew Czech's multi-faceted
community work. He was long term President of the Kolo Technikow
Polskich w Wiktorii, President of the Federation of Polish Organisations
in Victoria and the President of the Kosciuszko House Co-operative
Society, all for many years. He initiated the scholarships that
the Kolo Technikow give to this day, one of which now bears
his name. He was highly respected and liked, and it was no surprise,
that at his funeral, not only was the St Ignatius Church in
Richmond packed to the limit, but also the area outside, even
spilling onto the road. Polonez youth, as well as the Polish
community of Victoria had come to pay their last respects to
an irreplaceable community leader.
and
so Maly Polonez was formed in 1967. After a few years, the older
members went on to from Sredni Polonez, from which members pass
into the senior group. Some of those pioneering Maly members
who went to make names for themselves in the senior section
include Ala Mielink (Bliszczyk), Wanda Drzymulska, Jola Paszkowska
(Nowak), Ryszard Pietrzak and Rucio Sosnowski.
Our
Backstage crew has included Zofia Gorska, Irek Chorazyczewski,
Wiesiek Krolikowski, Andrzej Nowak, Geoff Chandler, Ryszard
Bliszczyk, Jureck Biernacki, Jurek Papuga, Aleks Terech, Ryszard
Biernacki, John Zgudka and Greg Kulesza.
with
Jurek Ruta as his accompanist, is an integral and highly valued
part of Polonez Life and the repertoire they have developed
for the Ensemble is considerable. Their part of Polonez is immeasurable
and Polonez has benefited beyond calculation from Henryk Ruta's
musical ability, talented and commitment. For years, Jurek Ruta
regularly accompanied the dancers on piano during the weekly
practices, frequently with Stanislaw Kowalski on clarinet and
Zdzislaw Debowski on violin, until the move from Kosciusko House
left us without a piano at out practices. The talented and dedicated,
Jurek is calm, helpful and always able to be relied on.
