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

Chairman

A member of the Knights of Columbus and is currently serving in his eighth year as Grand Knight of the Bethlehem Council. He is a member of Polish National Alliance and The National Katyń Memorial Foundation. He writes, “I have a lifelong commitment to Scouting serving in many positions from Assistant Scout Master to Committee Chairperson to the Chartered Organization Representative for Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Along with my commitment to volunteerism, I have been employed as a Field Service Engineer for Thermo Fisher Scientific for 22+ years. Raising my three sons has been my vocation in life and I have recently been blessed with my first grandson (Brecken), who will hopefully dance with Wiślanie one day to celebrate his Polish heritage.”

Melissa Kalinowski

Managing Director & Choreographer

A member of Krakowiaki Dancers since the tender age of 7, 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 incorporated as Wiślanie. She has held various leadership positions in the PNA from V.P. 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 and numerous Certifications, working as an Application System Analyst in I.T. supporting the Laboratory departments across Maryland. As proud mother of 3 young ladies, preserving the culture for future generations is essential.

Mark Rybczynski

Artistic Director

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.

Mark currently dances and leads the instrumental and vocal aspects of the group.

Theresa Koviak-Hall

Treasurer

I was introduced to Polish Folk dance back in 2012 when I took my family to a Polish Picnic at the American Legion on Seling Avenue in Rosedale. As a Bachelor degree graduate of Mercyhurst College in dance, I was very excited to see Ojczyzna Polish Folk Song and Dance group performing. A friend who knew of my dance background suggested I talk to their manager, he took me for a spin around the parking lot dance floor and that was it. The first dance audition, I passed on the spot. I danced with that group until 2018 . After a couple years break, I learned Wiślanie was regrouping and was open to dancers of all ages, so here I am.

I am currently the Office Manager at Acropolis Construction Company Inc. and proud mom of son Michael and pup Little Mama Cass.

Shirley Geize

Secretary

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 retired pharmacist and had been employed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for more than 40 years.”

Wiślanie Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, Inc.

Home

About Us

Our Story

Leadership

What We Do

Performances & Rehearsals

How you can help...

Upcoming Fundraisers

Donations