Artistic Staff of Łowiczanie
Krystyna Chciuk, Founding Director
Krystyna Chciuk is the Founding Director of Łowiczanie Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, and remains a vital advisor to the board of directors. Pani Krysia, a native of Poland, moved to California in the late '60s and together with a few young dancers founded Łowiczanie in 1975. Pani Krysia serves as President of the Polish National Alliance, Lodge 7 (Polish Society of California), is a member of the Board of Directors of the Polish Club of San Francisco, a member of the Home Army Association, and Vice-Commander of the Polish-American Veterans Association of World War II, Post 49. She is also the representative for Polish Scouting for the Western United States.
Krystyna Chciuk is the Founding Director of Łowiczanie Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, and remains a vital advisor to the board of directors. Pani Krysia, a native of Poland, moved to California in the late '60s and together with a few young dancers founded Łowiczanie in 1975. Pani Krysia serves as President of the Polish National Alliance, Lodge 7 (Polish Society of California), is a member of the Board of Directors of the Polish Club of San Francisco, a member of the Home Army Association, and Vice-Commander of the Polish-American Veterans Association of World War II, Post 49. She is also the representative for Polish Scouting for the Western United States.
Mary Kay Stuvland, Artistic Director / Choreographer
Mary Kay Stuvland is Artistic Director and Choreographer for Łowiczanie. A dancer in the Ensemble since 1979, her background includes jazz, modern and Latin technique, and she has taught and performed ballroom dance. She is a professional arts and events administrator, but is especially passionate about the world of dance and ethnography. A graduate of UC Berkeley in art and archaeology, she is currently studying Polish folk choreography and ethnography, with her diploma to be awarded in Rzeszów, Poland, July 2010. Mary's Kay's work is in the current repertory of Łowiczanie, Pulaski Polish Dancers of Fresno, and Lajkonik Polish Dancers of Tucson. She was choreographer for SF Pocket Opera's productions of Moniuszko's "Strasny dwor" (2009) and "Halka" (2010). For her service to the Polish community, Mary Kay has been awarded the prestigious "Amicus Poloniae" and the "Pro Memoria" bestowed by the Republic of Poland.
Mary Kay Stuvland is Artistic Director and Choreographer for Łowiczanie. A dancer in the Ensemble since 1979, her background includes jazz, modern and Latin technique, and she has taught and performed ballroom dance. She is a professional arts and events administrator, but is especially passionate about the world of dance and ethnography. A graduate of UC Berkeley in art and archaeology, she is currently studying Polish folk choreography and ethnography, with her diploma to be awarded in Rzeszów, Poland, July 2010. Mary's Kay's work is in the current repertory of Łowiczanie, Pulaski Polish Dancers of Fresno, and Lajkonik Polish Dancers of Tucson. She was choreographer for SF Pocket Opera's productions of Moniuszko's "Strasny dwor" (2009) and "Halka" (2010). For her service to the Polish community, Mary Kay has been awarded the prestigious "Amicus Poloniae" and the "Pro Memoria" bestowed by the Republic of Poland.
Susan Worland, Music Director
Susan Worland is Łowiczanie's Music Director, heading up the Łowiczanie's Kapela (Polish folk band). Prior to moving to California, Susan was Kapela director for the Krakówiak Polish Dancers of Boston and a guest musician with most of the prominent east coast Polish dance groups with whom she continues to perform annually as a guest artist. She also serves as the Music Director for the annual Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Susan enjoys classical music - playing violin for the Santa Cruz Symphony - and Scottish folk music, but her greatest love is for the music of the mountains between Poland and the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Susan Worland is Łowiczanie's Music Director, heading up the Łowiczanie's Kapela (Polish folk band). Prior to moving to California, Susan was Kapela director for the Krakówiak Polish Dancers of Boston and a guest musician with most of the prominent east coast Polish dance groups with whom she continues to perform annually as a guest artist. She also serves as the Music Director for the annual Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Susan enjoys classical music - playing violin for the Santa Cruz Symphony - and Scottish folk music, but her greatest love is for the music of the mountains between Poland and the Czech and Slovak Republics.