Edward J. Rajtar( Edziu) has been the Artistic Director/Choreographer of the Dolina (pronounced doe-lee-na) Polish Folk Dancers, Inc. for the past 22 years. He began his Folk Dancing career in 1976, when he joined the Dolina Polish Folk Dancers of the Twin Cities.

In 1977, Edward First ventured to Opole, Poland, for a four-week folk dance workshop sponsored by the Kosciuszko Foundation. This trip became the impetus for his passion and dedication to Polish folk dancing. While in Poland at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow on a scholarship from the Kosciuszko Foundation in 1979-1980, Edward studied both the language and culture of the Polish people. During that time, he became a member of Zespol Piesni i Tanca “Krakus”, which affiliated with the University of Mines and Metallurgy (AGH) is a folk dance troop based in the city of Krakow. He then continued his studies in Polish folk dance and ethnography by attending the Lublin course for directors of Polonian folk ensembles. There his studies consisted of individual classes of Poland's various regions, their folk history, dance, song, dialects and costumes. Edward graduated from this course in 1985 with high honors. Aside from a formal course of study, Edward has also conducted independent research projects in the cities of Zakopane, Tarnow, Warsaw, during the subsequent years following graduation.

Edward was also a member of the Izvorasul Romanian Dancers of the Twin Cities for several years, as well as the University of Minnesota International folk dancers
In addition to folk dancing, Edward has lectured in the Twin Cities at various schools on the subject of Poland's cultural heritage and diversity and how it is demonstrated with the traditions, foods, costumes and customs of the Polish people. He is also an occasional freelance writer for the Pol Am, a local monthly Polish newsletter in the Twin Cities.

In 2004, Edward returned to Rzeszow, Poland, to do post graduate studies in Polish folk dancing. Here he had the opportunity to learn and research regions of Poland that he was unfamiliar with. Edward has been a guest instructor for the International Folk dancers of the University of Kansas, The International Folk Dancers at the University of St. Mary’s in Winona, MN, the Tapestry Folk Dance Center in Minneapolis, and the Ethnic Dance Theater. He was also invited to teach and choreograph several suites of dances in Thunder Bay, Ontario for a new ensemble being formed.

His work with the "Dolina Polish Folk Dancers, Inc." has included repertoire development, dancer training, costume purchase and authentic replication, musical arrangement, as well as choreography, Under his direction, the group presents suites of dances and song from fifteen Polish regions as well as performing all of its national dances. The “Dolina Polish Folk Dancers, Inc.” has been charter members of the “Polish Folk Dance association of the Americas” (PFDAA)since its inception in 1983. Edward has also served on this organization’s Board of Directors as well as being a past President. He chaired the 1988 PFDAA Festival and workshop that were held in the Twin Cities in 1988.