Hall of Fame

Michael Costa was born on July 5, 1961 to William and Phyllis Costa of Irvington, NJ. He is the first born of two children. His parents met in the mid 50's at the Irvington Polish Home where weekly polka dancing was extremely popular. As their children grew, they were exposed to Chicago-style polkas at the Dover Polanka in Dover, NJ. Michael's Dad, played bass and guitar with local bands. Growing up in a home filled with polka music and musical instruments, it was the trumpet Michael gravitated to. Lessons began at the age of 7.

Walter Dana - Wladyslaw Dan Danilowski - a resident of Miami Beach, Florida, was born in Warsaw, Poland.  He began playing piano and composing at the age of seven.  His musical education was obtained at the Warsaw Conservatory and Paris.  He received a law diploma at the Warsaw University.  He worked as press attaché at the Polish Foreign Office and also as an accompanist and musical illustrator with the "Qui Pro Quo" Theatre.  He was the founder conductor and coach of the popular vocal quintet "Chor Dana" making records, films, radio and public concerts all over Europe, and in 1936-38 two concert tours in U.S. Dana wrote many scores and songs for films in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Italy, was director of the light music department of the Polish Radio Network and director of the Tip Top Theatre for which he received decorations of the Polish Gold Cross of Merit from President Moscicki, and the Royal Diamond Pin with Crown from Italy's Queen.

Li'l Wally has been one of the most important and influential polka musicians in America. He was responsible for creating the Chicago-style polka, a slower, more danceable, more improvisational sound, whose core appeal lay with Polish-Americans.

Henry "Will" Wilczynski has dedicated 53 years to music as an arranger, composer, teacher and musician. He has written and arranged for some of the greatest polka bands and shows of all time including: Jimmy Sturr (Jimmy's 10 Grammy award recordings and Christmas shows), Myron Floren, Walt Solek, Dick Pillar, Ray Budzilek, Eddie Skinger, Ray Henry, Connecticut Twins, Rich Bobinski, Johnny Dyno, Mike Piorek, Polonaise Dancers, John Przasnyski and more.