I am humbled to have been elected as a director for the International Polka Association. Polka music has always been a part of my life, I’m pretty sure I was born with a love for polka music that has just kept growing. Being raised in a small Polish town that also happens to host one of the largest festivals (Pulaski Polka Days), the music and the people have become ingrained in who I am as a person – fun-loving, genuine in my connections, and hard working.
I’ve been a long-time volunteer with the event, ensuring that it keeps going in any way that I can from a very young age helping my grandparents work the attendance gate and just about every spot there – no job is too big, no job is too small.
As I got older, I started traveling outside of that small town to other events, starting with other Wisconsin festivals and eventually other states, spanning from Arizona to New York, to enjoy and celebrate this great music and the wonderful friendships that I have gained through our mutual love and appreciation for the music. It was through some of those relationships that I realized how much the IPA does to keep polka music going strong and I started helping in small ways as needed, something that I still do regularly.
I am thrilled to live in Wisconsin where we have no shortage of new and upcoming bands as well as several more tenured groups still performing, and events to go and see them whether it be a church picnic or an afternoon dance. Sometimes it’s difficult to choose where to go or what to do because there are so many events going on.
As I join the board, I hope to bring my hard work and dedication into the fold and jump into projects that need an extra person or just bring in a new perspective. I plan to utilize my experiences with non-profit groups and volunteering to bring new ideas into the mix of operations. I am future driven looking to preserve and promote polka music in every way possible for generations to come. I look forward to working with the board on ways to not only keep polka music alive, but to help it thrive in the years to come!
When I’m not traveling or attending a local dance you can find me spending time with my husband doing something outdoors or some type of home renovation project; or most likely spoiling our dogs and whatever foster pup we have.
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