Dean Poloka

Dean Poloka is a master choreographer and ethnic researcher of traditional Carpatho-Rusyn music, song and dance.

A native of Pittsburgh, Dean has been propagating Carpatho-Rusyn culture his entire life. Dean has researched and studied Carpatho-Rusyn history, language, music, song and dance for over 20 years. He is currently the Program Director and choreographer of the Slavjane Folk Ensemble, a children’s Slavic dance ensemble. Slavjane is well known in the Pittsburgh area for their representation of Carpatho-Rusyn heritage, and has performed twice in the Carpatho-Rusyn homeland in East-Central Europe. Dean served as Vice-President of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society as well as President of its Pittsburgh Chapter. During this time, Dean has given numerous presentations on different aspects of Carpatho-Rusyn culture and history. Since 2004, Dean has hosted the Carpatho-Rusyn Society Heritage Program, a weekly radio broadcast that propagates Carpatho-Rusyn music and information to a worldwide audience. Dean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History with an Eastern European concentration and an undergraduate certificate from the Center for Russian and East European Studies, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Dean is a Fellow of the World Academy of Carpatho-Rusyn Culture. Dean Poloka is a master choreographer and ethnic researcher of traditional Carpatho-Rusyn music, song and dance.