Michele is the youngest grandchild of Martin and Mary Bielat. Martin Bielat and his future wife Mary, before their families ever knew of one another, were both baptized at the Transfiguration Church of Christ in Southeastern Poland.  They each immigrated to the United States on separate occasions in the early 1900s. Because of their staunch Catholic Faith, Polish pride, and beloved traditions, and as fate would have it, they found one another in Dunkirk, NY and began their married life together, as one. They diligently studied the English language, took classes in American History and were humbled and honored to become United States Citizens between 1917 and 1928. They belong to St. Hedwigs Roman Catholic Church and lived their life encompassed by Catholic Faith. Martin and Mary had 17 children but due to miscarriages and infant deaths, only 12 children survived. At present, there are only two Bielat siblings that are living today. Hendryk (Henry) and Bernadine Dorothy, both of Dunkirk. Michele’s passion, enjoyment, and appreciation of her Polish heritage flourished at an early age. Each of her Christmas celebrations from from the mid 1960’s to present day have been filled with the melodic Koledy, the cherished tradition of sharing Oplatek, pierogi, and the famous, or often infamous Tudo! Easter celebrations would not hold the sense of reverence, family bonding, and faith without participating in each day of the Easter Triduum. The centuries old tradition of blessing baskets on Holy Saturday is ever present in Michele’s life as well as her daughters’ lives and their growing families. Michele credits four of her most influential family members who raised her from the very beginning with numerous Polish traditions including harmonica sing a longs, accordion family nights, and tales of Poland and yester year.  These adored family members are her mother and father, Wallace and Bernadine Dorothy (Bielat) Starwalt and her Uncle Ignatius Joseph Bielat and Aunt Lucille Ann Bielat, who were also her Godparents. Without these four familial pillars the traditions of their youth would have been watered down and slowly faded away. Michele is the Director of Chautauqua Striders in the North County and is a proud mother-in-law and mom to Clarissa, Kristin, and Jessica and grandmother to Sophia, Lily, Logan, AJ, Alarah, and Carter. Niech was błogosławi twoja matka mary i jej najbardziej ukochany syn Jezus. Dziękuję!

Julius Woma was born in the village of Hiinetang in the northern part of Ghana in 1994.  The son of internationally acclaimed African drummer, Bernard Woma, Julius moved to Accra, the capital of Ghana. There he got his primary school education before he moved to the United States in middle school in 2006. After graduating from high school in 2014, Julius met his wife Chelsie. The couple have one child. Julius currently works for Industrial Metal Finishing as a specialist in zinc and nickel plating.

Since a young age, traditional Ghanian drumming had been a major part of his life. Julius commented, “I picked up African drumming as a child, watching and playing with adult drummers. The children would play the instruments and partake in the traditional ceremonies of our region.”

Julius’ father had a music school, where the children watched and repeated the music he played on the xylophone and drums. Julius continued, “When my father was not around I learned to play the Palumo drum from my uncle. He taught us to carry a tune, trying to stump us.”

Julius is affiliated with “Slyboots Circuit”, operated by Julius’ brother, Griffin Brady. Slyboots Circuit specializes in the promoting and teaching Ghanian, Senegal, and other African culture, music, and dance. Julius has performed with Slyboots Circuit on stage and is dedicated to passing on his knowledge, skills, and African traditions to others, especially his daughter, Xyla.