Dr. Walenty Michalik (1938-2021)
Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer

Dr. Michalik id the founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble. His distinguished career as a choreographer has led Polonez to achieve a high artistic level. He is also the Artistic Director of the children's dance ensemble Kujawiak and the youth dance ensemble Piast. He is a member of the Polish Society for Ethnochoreology (1991-present) and has brought a tremendous amount of artistic dance experience from Poland. Dr. Michalik is also the President and Director of Cracovia Folklore Dance Studio Association.

Awards ( Canada)

Order of Poland. Officer Cross of the Order of Poland Restitution, 1998
Presented to Dr. W. Michalik by the Ambassador of Poland form the President of the Republic of Poland in Edmonton on October 17, 1998, for his outstanding achievement in education youth in Poland and Canada, as well as his outstanding merit in propagating Polish culture throughout the world, in particular Canada.

Minister's Cultural Milestone Award, 2004.

Edmonton's Salute To Excellence Arts Achievement Award, 2002
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the Arts in Edmonton.

L'order du Merite Cuturel, 1997
Le Ministre de la Culture et Des Beaux-Arts de la Republique De Polgne en Reconnaissance du Preciex Apport a la Diffusion de la Culture et de L'art Polonais, Confere, Presented to the Polonez Ensemble by the Council General of Poland on October 26,1997.

Congratulatory Diploma from the City of Edmonton, 1997
For creating the Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble in 1982 "Your efforts have fostered and appreciation of Polish Culture and enriched our country's social fabric".

Silver Mark of Distinction from the Canadian Polish Congress, 1997
Presented to Dr. Michalik for his outstanding contribution as Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble, Mazur Polish Canadian Dancers, and Kujawiak Polish Children's Dance Society.

Diploma of Appreciation, 1996
From the Canadian Polish Congress.

Congratulatory Diploma from Mayor Jan Reimer, City of Edmonton, 1992. Presented to Dr. Michalik on November 21, 1992, for his outstanding contribution as artistic director for the Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble.

Employment and Immigration Canada Achievement Award, 1990
Winner of the FINE ARTS Category Presented to Dr. Michalik in recognition of significant contribution made to Canadian Society in Alberta.

Diploma of Appreciation, 1984
From the Polish Cultural Society of Edmonton recognizing his contributions to the Polish community and culture in Edmonton. This award, given yearly for artistic endeavors, particularly recognized Dr. Michalik's work in choreography.

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Artistic Experience, Poland

1957-1959 Member of the Song and Dance Ensemble "AGH Krakus" - Krakow, Poland
1958-1962 Professional Dancer (Krakow Ballet Opera) Association of Choreographers, Krakow
1959-1972 Director of the Ballet Group of "Krakus"
1968-1973 Teaching assistant to chief choreographer of "Krakus"
1975-1981 A member of the Board of Artistic Directors and a member of a professional team of choreographers responsible for the artistic direction and performance material of Krakus. Personally responsible for the group's ballet program.
1972-1981 Participated in conferences, seminars and workshops for many folk dance groups as a specialist of southern Polish folklore.

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Artistic Activities in Canada

Polonez Polish folk Arts Ensemble, an Alberta Society, 1982 to present. Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer.

Kujawiak Polish Children's Dance Society of Alberta, 1984 to present. Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer

Mazur Polish Canadian Dancers of Edmonton Society, 1986 to 2008. Artistic Director and Choreographer.

Cracovia Folklore Dance Studio Association. President/Director of Artistic Council.

Polish Dance Instructors Course. September 1987- present. Director and Instructor. This course was initiated by the young Polish - Canadian Dancers of Edmonton Society with the help of the Secretary of State. This course has continued and is now under the auspices of Cracovia. This course supplements the course offered in Krakow, Poland by the Polish Cultural Center. I am responsible for covering the following material with my students: History of various dance forms. Rudiments of ballet, social and character dance, knowledge of the many regions in Poland, Polish dance steps, choreography and music.

1999 Accredited Diploma Course for Polish Instructors (3 year program) under the auspices of the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. The course had participants from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. I was the course coordinator and one of the choreographers and instructors.

Annual Summer Polish Folk & Music Festival at the Heritage Amphitheater in Hawerlak Park, (every 3rd Sunday in June).

Annual Summer Dance Camp (2 weeks) 1990- present Conducted and organized a camp for youth to teach the national and regional dances of Poland, Ballet and Character technique. Open to all Albertans from 1995 to the present day. In conjunction with the summer camp a workshop is held jointly. Expert choreographers from Poland participate every year. ( 1995-Dr. Grazyna Dabrowska,1996, 1998 - Barbara de Lehenstein-Bronka).

Sacz Polish Dance Workshop. January 1991. Together with Mrs. Alicja Haszcak of Poland conducted a workshops on dances from the mountain region of SACZ.

Beskid Polish Dance Workshop. January 1993. Together with Mr.Jan Lowsakiewicz of Poland conducted a two week workshop from regions BESKID ZYWIECKI and SLASKI.

Mazur Dance Suite choreographed to the music of Moniuszko's opera "Haunted Manor" as a finale in concert (Magnificent Master Series) together with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, February 21, 22, 1997.

Kroscienska Dances workshop. March 1998. I conducted a two day workshop from the Pogorze region.

Silesia dances workshop. December 1998. Conducted a one day (8 hours) workshop from the Pszczyna region.

Lachy sadeckie workshop. March 1999. Conducted a one day (8 hours) workshop from the mountain region of Poland.

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Cracovia Folklore Dance Studio Association

Polish Dance Instructors Course. September 1987-present. Director and Instructor. This course was initiated by the young Polish - Canadian Dancers of Edmonton Society with the help of the Secretary of State. This course has continued and is now under the auspices of Cracovia. This course supplements the course offered in Krakow, Poland by the Polish Cultural Center. I am responsible for covering the following material with my students: History of various dance forms. Rudiments of ballet, social and character dance, knowledge of the many regions in Poland, Polish dance steps, choreography and music.

1999 Accredited Diploma Course for Polish Instructors (3 year program) under the auspices of the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. The course had participants from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. I was the course coordinator and one of the choreographers and instructors.

Annual Summer Polish Folk & Music Festival at the Heritage Amphitheater in Hawerlak Park, (every 3rd Sunday in June).

Annual Summer Dance Camp (2 weeks) 1990- present Conducted and organized a camp for youth to teach the national and regional dances of Poland, Ballet and Character technique. Open to all Albertans from 1995 to the present day. In conjunction with the summer camp a workshop is held jointly. Expert choreographers from Poland participate every year. ( 1995-Dr. Grazyna Dabrowska,1996, 1998 - Barbara de Lehenstein-Bronka).

ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE

1957-1981, Krakow. Poland song and Dance Ensemble "KRAKUS." The accompanying material illustrates some of the activities of the ensembles and awards it has received.

1974, Dresden, Germany. Choreography of a German Television production of folklore in Poland 1981, Krakow, Poland. Choreography and direction of several dance groups for the celebration of the national "May 3rd Holiday, the civic celebration held in the historic Market Square of Krakow. International Folklore Festivals (1965-1978). Took part as a dancer and choreographer."

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