Academy History
The story of the White Eagle Folk Dance Academy is a vibrant tapestry of Montreal’s Polish cultural history, a legacy that began in 1965 with the birth of two cornerstone ensembles: the Polish Folk Dance Group “Syrenka” and the Podhale Folk Dance Company. Founded by the late Wiktoria Janiak, Podhale, originally known as the “Polish Dancing Youth Group”, quickly drew inspiration from the rugged, picturesque traditions of the Polish highlands. Simultaneously, Syrenka emerged under the artistic direction of Mrs. Green and the dedicated organizational leadership of Mrs. Krystyna Poludnikiewicz. Both groups immediately established a standard of excellence that would define the decades to follow. By 1967, a pivotal year that saw current Artistic Director Richard Schmidt join the ensemble as a dancer, both Syrenka and Podhale were already serving as cultural ambassadors on the world stage at Montreal’s Expo ’67.
As the 1970s progressed, the ensembles entered a period of rapid artistic expansion and integration. The two groups briefly merged in 1971, eventually fully unifying under the masterful direction of Pani Leokadia Magdziarz. This era was marked by a sophisticated growth in repertoire, aided by the addition of a small orchestra and a 20-person choir. The ensemble’s prowess was recognized internationally with major awards at the World Festivals of Polish Folk Ensembles in Rzeszów in 1972 and 1974, as well as a first-prize win at the Polish-Canadian Song and Dance Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. This dedication to authentic folk art earned the group some of its most prestigious honors, including the Oskar Kolberg Award in 1977 and the Order of Merit in Polish Culture in 1981, awarded by Poland’s Minister of Culture.
The trajectory of the ensemble reached new heights in 1990 when the Artistic Directorship was passed to Richard Schmidt. Having served as the group’s principal dancer and assistant choreographer for ten years prior, Schmidt brought a vision of technical precision and global reach. Under his leadership, the ensemble hosted the 7th Polish Folk Dance Festival of the Americas in 1992 and embarked on extensive international tours, performing in Mexico, the Republic of China, Colombia, and throughout the USA, including performances at Disney World. Building on this momentum, Richard Schmidt founded the White Eagle Folk Dance Academy in 2008 with a core of experienced dancers. The Academy has since been established as a registered non-profit organization and Canadian Charity, supported by a world-class garde-robe of authentic costumes valued at over a million dollars.
Today, the White Eagle Folk Dance Academy functions as a dynamic umbrella organization that preserves this 60-year history while fostering three distinct generations of talent. Our deep connection to Poland remains a cornerstone of our identity; the Academy has a history of participation in the World Festival of Polish Folk Ensembles in Rzeszów, with notable appearances in 1972, 1974, 1983, 1989, 1993, 2017, and most recently in 2026. This ongoing mission is further empowered by the generous support of organizations like Wspólnota Polska, whose recent grant has been instrumental in our continued success.
In 2024, the Academy further expanded its reach by revitalizing its foundational roots, bringing the Podhale Youth Group and the Syrenka Children’s Group formally under the White Eagle Folk Dance Academy fold. Supported by the White Eagle Society of Montréal and the Southwest Borough, the Academy continues to flourish under the leadership of Richard Schmidt. Following our 60th anniversary celebration in November 2025, the White Eagle Folk Dance Academy remains a symbol of cultural bridge-building, proving that the rhythm of Polish folklore can unite people of all backgrounds in harmony and peace.
