Our Board of Directors
Members of our Board were duly elected by majority vote of eligible members. We are committed to forwarding the mission of Wiślanie.
Anthony "Tony" Kosiba
Agnieszka "Aga" Tarasiewicz
Melissa Kalinowski
A member of Krakowiaki Dancers since she was 7 years old, Melissa went on to lead the group in the capacity of Director from 2009, upon Peggy Snyder’s retirement, until 2019 when the group became known as Wiślanie. She has held various positions in the Polish National Alliance from Vice President to Financial Secretary in both Council 21 and Lodge 339. Melissa attended many years of Summer Camps and Choreographer’s Seminars sponsored by the PNA, where she made a network of lifelong friends and contacts who shared a common interest in Polish folk dancing and preserving and promoting our culture through song and dance. She also danced in Ojczyzna under the direction of Dr. Dennis Klima, P.T., M.S., Ph.D., DPT. Melissa has traveled to Poland on 2 occasions, one of which was to participate in the17th International Polish Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszów, Poland (XVII Światowy Festiwal Polonijnych Zespołów Folklorystycznych). Professionally, she holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science, where she works within the University of Maryland Medical System on the bench and also as an Application System Analyst in the Corporate I.T. department. As proud mother of 3 young ladies, preserving the culture for future generations is essential.
Mark Rybczynski
I am presently an employee of the Federal Court system and have been for over 25 years. I have previously danced and played music with a local adult Polish folk group for 7 years. I have played music and worked with the 3 Polish Catholic parishes located in Baltimore City for much of my life. Dancing and singing in the church choirs were some of my most satisfying achievements in my life. My life goals are to assist in keeping the many Polish traditions alive and visible in the Baltimore area. And just as importantly, I want those same traditions kept in my own household, to instill in my own son, so that he will do the same.
Shirley Geize
In her words, “my daughter, Lindsay Lipinski, danced with Krakowiaki in the “Peggy” years. Of the many extracurricular activities throughout her childhood, Polish dancing will remain one of her most cherished memories. Wanting those experiences for my granddaughters, Saylor and Jojo, I have registered them and will do whatever I can to keep the group alive. I am a pharmacist and have been employed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for more than 40 years.”
Wiślanie Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, Inc.
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