About Us

Laura Žarnauskaitė-Stankevičienė

In the heart of many a Lithuanian, song is innate; it is present at birth, and it develops as if nurtured by a mother. Across the Atlantic, song is alive today in the lovely name of Dainava.

This cultural ensemble was established in 1946, a year after the mass immigration to Germany from Lithuania during World War II. At that time, over 100 choral members as well as folk dancers joined this newly established cultural group whose motto would lead it into the future: “Forward To Freedom with Song!”

Five years later in 1951, the Choral Ensemble Dainava was re-created in Chicago by the newly immigrated S. Sodeika, conductor; and G. Velička, art director. The repertoire of the ensemble was spiritually fortified by its major theme, the longing for and the memories of homeland.

Presently, Dainava has developed into a dynamic cultural ensemble of 80 members; this group has performed in over 300 concerts, various musical productions, classical oratories, and Lithuanian cantatas. The ensemble – under the leadership of its chorus master, composer, conductor, and artistic director Darius Polikaitis – is actively pursuing fresh, new musical selections to complement its current inventory of Lithuanian folk music with a more classical repertoire.

However, Dainava will not veer from its roots – Dainava resounds to keep its Lithuanian heritage alive and to ensure that its audience – young or old – experience the joy of song in their souls.

The concert video "Sąskambiai", performed on January 23, 2010 and
created by Dana Runimas-Plazyk:
http://www.youtube.com/user/DainavosAnsamblis.