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| Maciej Pasternak - Our
current instructor
 Maciej
Pasternak, choreographer and artistic director of Wloclawek folk song
and dance group is the freshest artistic personality in the Los Angeles
Polish community. He is here to direct the song and dance group Krakusy.
Mr. Pasternak completed his masters degree in political science with
a pedagogical specialization at the Adam Mickiewicz University in
Poznan. As a college student he danced in the Poznan Polytechnic folk
group, and after graduation went on to earn his folk choreography
certification. He completed his folk education and research at the
Mikolaj Kopernik University in Torun. Having declared that one of
his main goals for Krakusy is to put the song back into song and dance,
Mr. Pasternak is hard at work rehearsing Krakusy chorals. On November
11, he mobilized a last-minute sing-along in the Szarotka Retirement
Home. Independence Day fell on a Sunday this year, but there were
no activities planned in the area, he explained, arriving at the home
after both 10:00 and noon masses, ready at the piano. Armed with songbooks
typed up the night before, costumed Krakusy members led a program
of well known and loved patriotic and war songs. Dressed in a uniform
of Polish cavalry, Krakusy member Matuesz Sarosek said, it's a very
important holiday for a lot of people, and we thought that Krakusy
could help the community celebrate it publicly. |
| The Krakusy vocal repertoire is visibly growing, as
the melodies of many common and lesser-known Christmas carols have
recently been on the minds of members and listeners alike. On Christmas
Eve, singers went to church in costume to participating in midnight
mass. Natalia and Simona Romuzga touched all with their performance
of Gdy sliczna Panna,and Bartek Krol led the infrequently heard Nie
bylo miejsca dla Ciebie, a somber carol written in a concentration
camp. The group also performed dances and carols for Baby Jesus and
the Holy Family at the parish oplatek, held on January 6, the day
traditionally understood that of the three kings. We will all be hearing
more of Krakusy in this New Year. Aside from his work with Krakusy,
Mr. Pasternak has opened a Sunday dance class for children between
the ages of four and eight. He instructs the movement classes in Polish,
teaching songs and games along the way. As a musician and highly accredited
teacher, Mr. Pasternak is available to give accordion lessons. He
is also wonderful with special kids and would be more than happy to
tutor any Polish children. Furthermore, has daytime hours free to
accompany elderly persons, driving to doctors appointments and other
errands. |
| To contact Mr. Pasternak, please ask for him
at (626) 282-5298 or (310) 451-1861. |
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