Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble

Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1999 by Alicja Newell and Bernadette Swider and has been lead by talented teachers ever since.

The name Syrenka was inspired by the adult group’s name, Syrena, which is the symbol of Warsaw. Syrenka translates to “little mermaid,” representing the youthful spirit and cultural pride of the ensemble’s dancers.

Syrenka is comprised of three age groups: the children’s group (ages 4–9), the pre-teen group (ages 10–12), and the youth group (ages 13-18). The groups are led by Deb Selm, Marcin Selm, and Sharon Zawicki—all who share their passion and expertise to guide and inspire the next generation.

The group performs a diverse repertoire of dance suites complete with authentic regional costumes including both national and regional dances. Over the years, Syrenka has performed at numerous cultural festivals, community celebrations, and special events. The ensemble is proud to represent the Polish-American community and to share the joy of Polish dance.

Syrenka’s mission is to convey to the next generation an appreciation and love of authentic Polish culture and heritage through dance and music in a fun and supportive environment.

Our rehearsals take place each Thursday evening at the St. Agnes School Gym, located at 12801 W Fairmount Ave, Butler, WI 53007—just 20 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. We warmly welcome new members to join our Syrenka family! Contact us for more information!