Polka Jennifer, host of KNON-FM’s long-running North Texas Polka Radio gained her appreciation of polka music differently than many fans of the genre.

She grew up in Wichita Falls. “I’m mostly Swedish with a little German,” she says. At home, she listened mostly to Scandinavian Polkas, Waltzes, Hambos and Schottishes.

“My mother had an assortment of ethnic records that we enjoyed listening to,” Polka Jennifer remembers. It was then that she became aware of the individuality of ethnic music and an appreciation for her heritage. No one in the family danced.

“I had hoped to learn folk dancing in college but when I got there, they were no longer teaching it,” she says.

Several years later, living in Dallas, she finally had the opportunity to join a Scandinavian folk dance group and learn the dances she always wanted to learn.

“That’s when I became more interested in polka music,” she says. She learned about the various types of polka – Czech, German, Polish. To continue dancing in something other than a performing troupe, she began attending public dances. The Polka dances in north Texas tended to be Czech and she developed a special appreciation for that branch of polka music. She then became a member of a polka dance troupe.

About six years ago, the opportunity arose to co-host KNON’s polka show. She jumped at the chance. Two years ago, just as she was left as the only remaining regular host the show was expanded to two hours.

Added to a heavy dose of Czech music and local Texas favorites, she plays a blend of German, Polish and Slovenian polkas from artists from around the country.

She is assisted each week by Polka David and Polka Alex.