The history of Syrena starts in the late summer of 1975 when the need arose for a second dancing school in the North Dearborn Heights area. Mrs. Charlotte Matkowska, the National State Director of PRCUA Women's Division at that time, informed the interested families that a minimum of twenty-five members was required in a PRCUA society before a school could be formed. A number of families had already expressed an interest. These were the Cilvas, Frons, Galantys, Ledwons, Grendels, Najduks, Suchytas, and the Pastuskas. These founding families constituted twenty-eight members. That was more than enough to form a new PRCUA backed dance school. At that time the Society of 1585 was formed and named "Children of Mary”.

Once the Society was formed, its members immediately began organizing a dance school. The first order of business was naming the school. At that time all, the PRCUA schools were named based on location such as “North Detroit”, “Warren”, “West Side”, and “Dearborn Heights”. This new school had to differentiate itself. After a great deal of careful thought, the name “Syrena” was decided upon.  Syrena is a symbolic mermaid or mermaid warrior. She is a symbol of Warsaw along the Vistula River. Syrena stands as an embodiment of Polish strength in her quest for freedom. It was for this reason that this historic figure was chosen not only as the name of this new dance school but also as its symbol.

Shirley Galanty was the Ensembles teacher and chorographer since its inception in 1975, until her retirement in the fall of 2009. One of her own students has taken the reigns of teacher and choreographer Miss Cathy Sielickia 2001 graduate of the Ensemble.  Also in that time, the following women have served as director of the Ensemble: Irene Pastuszka, Jacqueline Fron, Helen Liebenau, Susan Marzec, Laura Fliss, Darlene Radowick. Current director is Patricia Steven.

 Syrena's imposing strength enlightens our youth and continues to do so to this day. The primary purpose of the Syrena Dance Ensemble is to instill in our children an awareness of Polish culture and tradition through dance and song and to build self-confidence through a program of instruction and participation.

The annual dance recital, a culmination of the years hard work, is looked forward to with great anticipation by both the dancers and their parents. Once the year has ended, however, the Syrena Dance Ensemble still keeps busy.  In the fall, we have our Annual Presentation Ball celebrating our graduate(s) of the year.  

                                                                                                                                                                                             Much has happened since Syrena’s inception in 1975. In keeping with the tradition of the Presentation Ball, which Shirley Galanty organized. Syrena is proud to have over 100 dancers who have been honored and presented as graduates of the Ensemble and from their respective high schools.