Where did your relationship with ballet begin?
It began in a very unexpected way, because I come from a family with no artistic background. My father was in the military, my mother was an accountant, and art was never part of our everyday life. I remember my parents taking me to the theater to see different plays, and I was completely captivated by the stage, the emotion, and the atmosphere.
At home, I was always dancing and acting around the house. When I was in kindergarten, one of my teachers noticed this and told my parents that I might have some talent. She encouraged them to enroll me in the State Ballet School in Skopje. That was the first step into the world of ballet and the beginning of my journey.
What do you remember most about training in Skopje?
I remember long hours of dancing, but also so many beautiful moments with the friends I made throughout the years at the ballet school. It became like a second home to me: a place filled with hard work, discipline, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Looking back now, it was one of the most special periods of my life, and I would give anything to go back, even for just one day, and experience it all again.
I was also very fortunate to receive my ballet education under Dr. Sonja Zdravkova Djeparoska, a professor who had a tremendous influence on my development as both a dancer and a person. She taught me discipline, dedication, and respect for the art from the very first ballet steps I ever took. Her guidance and belief in me helped shape the foundation of my career and my understanding of what it truly means to be an artist.
Who shaped you most as a young dancer?
Since my arrival in the United States, after completing my ballet education, I have had the chance to work with many incredible artists and mentors. However, one of the people who left the greatest mark on my development as a young dancer was the legendary ballerina Gelsey Kirkland.
Working with her was an unforgettable experience. Her artistry, discipline, and deep understanding of classical ballet inspired me tremendously and pushed me to grow both technically and emotionally as a performer. She taught me the importance of commitment, precision, and storytelling through movement, and her influence helped shape my artistic identity in a profound way.
What did Macedonia give you that still lives in your work?
We come from a very small country, and personally, I grew up during a time when our society was still trying to rebuild itself and figure out many things. Life was not always easy, and as children in my generation, we did not always have everything we needed or dreamed of. But what I remember most is that our people always found a way to move forward with patience and resilience. Growing up in that environment shaped not only the artist I became, but also the person I am today.
No matter where life takes me, I carry those roots. They remind me to stay patient and humble, to never forget where I came from, and to always keep fighting for what I love.
