FOUNDER

Mrs. Shirley Galanty

 
Nearly 50 years ago, Shirley (Hojnacki) Galanty recieved the opportunity to realize her dream of becoming the first PRCUA dance instructor in Michigan. Mrs. Galanty learned the Polish customs and traditions by traveling to Poland and by sponsoring a choreographer from Poland to teach her and other local choreographers the authentic dances.

Mrs. Galanty became a Certified Choreographer through the Dance Masters of America prior to her marriage and joining PRCUA and is certified through their Michigan Chapter. Mrs. Galanty traveled to Poland numerous times and attended many national seminars on Polish Dance. She has taught many hundreds of children Polish folk dance, as well as tap, ballet and jazz through her own private school, the "Shirley Galanty Dancers".

Mrs. Galanty wanted the Polish American youth to know their heritage, culture, customs and traditions and she was instrumental in the formation of serval dance school in Michigan. Her expertise in Polish Dance has been responsible for the instruction of hundreds of students throughout the years. These same graduates now bring their children to learn from her.

Today and forever she will be known as 'Mrs. G" and has retired from the school she founded some fifty years ago. She is the wife of the late Joseph Galanty, proud mother of seven children and "Busia" of seventeen grandchildren

Mrs. G's career is not just limited to dance. She also held the following positions:

President of the PRCUA Michigan Women's Division
National President of the Ladies Auxiliary Chapter of Orchard Lake
President of Chapter 15 Ladies Auxiliary of Orchard Lake
PRCUA Insurance Deputy
PRCUA Financial Secretary of Societies 1585 and 1614
Founder and Chairperson of the Michigan State Ball

Mrs. G has also been the former National State Director and former Director of the Polish American Congress. She is a past member of the prestigious Laur society of Northwest Detroit (a Polish dance organization no longer is existence). She has reired as an instructor of the two dances school she taugh at Syrena and Wieliczka. In 2006 Mrs. G celebrated her 50th year as a dance instructor.


CHOREOGRAPHER

Cathy Sielicki

Cathy Sielicki is a 2001 graduate of the Syrena Dance Ensemble. Having spent 15 years with the school and Mrs. Galanty, Cathy is proud to be back teaching the group that taught her about her heritage. Cathy is part of a family tradition of being taught by Mrs. G. Cathy's mother Barb, was a student of Mrs Galanty's at West Side P.R.C.U.A. dance school. Her sisters Beth and Sue also danced with Syrena for 8 years and 11 years respectively.

Cathy, a graduate of Divine Child High School in Dearborn (2001). She attended Eastern Michigan University and recieved a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (2005). Cathy works at Eastern Michigan University as an event coordinator and currently resides in Milian. If you have a question or comment for our choreographer please e-mail her at syrenateacher@gmail.com


DIRECTOR

Mrs. Patricia Steven

                                           


 Patricia (Wojnarowski) Steven is the director of the Syrena Dance Ensemble. Before becoming the school director in September of 1998  Patricia was President of the schools Parents Club. She started dancing at the age of 3 with P.R.C.U.A. West Side Dance School under the direction of Shirley Galanty, also danced with PNA. Patricia was the 1972 P. R.C.U.A. Princess of West Side, also a debutante for PNA. As a teenager Patricia traveled to Poland with P.R.C.U.A. to study dance. She is a member of P.R.C.U.A. Society #872 and PNA Lodge #2525.

Patricia graduated from St. Andrew High School in Detroit

Patricia and her husband James, are proud parents of four son James, Ben, Eric and Matthew. All four of her sons have graduated from Syrena. Dancing and participating in varies activities with Syrena helped them learn more about their Polish Heritage.

Patricia is currently employed at St Linus Catholic School. Where she has works both as a Librarian and Lunch Coordinator.