From traditional to contemporary, the festival is pleased to welcome a variety of entertainers. See folk dancers performing in traditional costumes, hear a Polish folk music choir, or enjoy a concert pianist playing Chopin.
Performance Schedule
SYRENA SEATTLE
Seattle, WA
Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
SOBÓTKA
Portland, OR
The Polish dance group “Sobotka” was established and led by Elzbieta Szewczyk and Marek Stepien. Their primary goal is to teach the younger generation Polish culture through the art of dance. It is based in Portland, Oregon, and it meets at the Polish Saturday School. Currently, it includes several dance groups, a kindergarten group, a middle group and an adult group of parents, alumni and friends of Polish School.
VIVAT MUSICA!
Seattle, WA
The Polish choir “Vivat Musica!” was established in March of 2004 at the Polish Cultural Center in Seattle by Barbara Niesułowski. They have a rich repertoire of Polish national, patriotic, sacred, classic, folk songs and carols. Their goal is to show and expand knowledge of Polish culture, history and traditions but also to perform for those who enjoy singing or listen to songs sung with joy and passion. They have performed in over 200 concerts across the United States, Canada and Poland. At the Seattle Center Polish Festival “Vivat Musica!” has been performing every year, since 2012!
This year, they will present a medley of traditional and popular Polish songs. Dr. Marcin Pączkowski, composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer is “Vivat Musica!” music director, Maria Grabowska is music consultant/piano accompanist and Mira Pawluskiewicz serves as the choir manager. Currently, they have 20 members and are always looking for new members to join their group.
MARCIN PĄCZKOWSKI
Seattle, WA
Marcin Pączkowski is a composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer, working with both traditional and electronic media. As a composer, he is focused on developing new ways of creating and performing computer music. He works with numerous ensembles in the Seattle area as an electronic music specialist. As the Music Director of Evergreen Community Orchestra, he presents concerts of diverse repertoire to local communities. He is also active in the local improvised music community performing on various instruments.
For the Polish Festival Seattle Marcin will present a program exploring a selection of Polish folk songs through vocal and instrumental performance, as well as electronic sounds.
STRING ORCHESTRA by MARCIN PĄCZKOWSKI
Seattle, WA
Marcin Pączkowski is a Seattle-based composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer whose work seamlessly blends traditional and electronic music. His compositions focus on innovative approaches to creating and performing computer music, and he frequently collaborates with local ensembles as an electronic music specialist.
He is the Music Director of the Evergreen Community Orchestra, where he curates diverse and engaging performances for the local community. Marcin also teaches at Cornish College of the Arts and is an active participant in Seattle’s improvised music scene, performing on a range of instruments.
At this year’s Polish Festival Seattle, Marcin will conduct a string orchestra in a special program celebrating contemporary Polish classical music. The performance will feature works by renowned composers Wojciech Kilar, Witold Lutosławski, and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki.
BLAKE NELSON
Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31
Blake Nelson, 15, began his piano studies at age 6 and currently studies under Dr. Oksana Ejokina. He has participated in numerous competitions across Washington State, including the SIPF Classical Viennese Festival and the EMTA Willard Schultz Scholarship Competition. In addition to piano, Blake performs as an orchestral violinist with the Tacoma Youth Symphony. A junior at Gig Harbor High School, he is also actively involved in volunteering and medical fundraising. Outside of music, he enjoys cooking and traveling.
OMKAR ABHYANKAR
Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23
Omkar Abhyankar is the Gold Medal winner in the Large-Scale or Narrative Works Adult Amateur category at the Chopin and Beyond International Piano Competition for his performance of Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor. He has studied piano for twelve years and currently trains under concert pianist Gregory DiBona. His achievements include First Prize at the Triumph Music Festival, and he has performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He is currently pursuing a Certificate in Music Composition through Juilliard Extension.
ALEXIS LEE
Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20
Alexis Lee, 14, is a rising ninth grader at Troy High School and an accomplished pianist. She has received numerous top awards, including First Prize at the CAPMT Honors State Competition, the MTAC Orange County Theme Festival, the SYMF Open Concerto Competition, and the Satori Summer Music Festival. In 2026, she was awarded a Gold Medal at the Seattle International Piano Festival. She studies piano with Ick Choo and Hae Young Moon.
DEMOLKA
Portland, OR
We are a group of young Polish musicians dedicated to performing Polish music in fresh, modern arrangements that connect tradition with contemporary sound. Our repertoire features well-loved pieces such as “Tamta Dziewczyna” by Sylwia Grzeszczak and “Dni, których nie znamy” by Marek Grechuta, alongside traditional Polish folk songs reimagined through a contemporary musical lens.
By blending familiar melodies with innovative arrangements, we aim to honor Polish musical heritage while making it engaging and accessible to modern audiences of all ages.
YAAZDA
Seattle, WA
Yaazda is a Seattle area Polish rock cover band delivering high energy sets inspired by the legends of Polish music. From the classics of Lady Pank and Maanam, through Kult and T.Love, to modern favorites like Męskie Granie and Sanah, they bring a dynamic mix of rock and pop to stages across the Pacific Northwest. They have performed for years at Polish and Eastern European festivals along the West Coast — always loud, always lively, and always proudly Polish. More at https://www.yaazda.band/
