We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Georgiana Loi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Georgiana below.

Georgiana, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I can’t really pinpoint a single moment when I decided to follow a creative path. It’s more like something that’s always been a part of me. I’ve wanted to be a dancer since I was three years old. Growing up in a family of dancers and dance teachers, movement and music were part of my everyday life. My uncle was actually my first teacher in Greek folk dance, and I was the youngest in the class. I even used to call him “Sir” instead of his name, which everyone found hilarious.
But I think I really realized what dance meant to me around the age of 11. That’s when I started taking ballet exams (Vaganova method), and I began to truly push myself and test my limits. Ironically, I didn’t always enjoy ballet. I often found it boring. That’s one of the many reasons I’m so grateful to my parents for not letting me quit. And I was lucky to have two amazing teachers who inspired me deeply. I could see it in their eyes, they were in love with dance, and that love was contagious.
Later on, at 17, I had the chance to choreograph and teach my classmates for a school dance festival. Most of them weren’t dancers, and it was the first time I realized I might enjoy teaching. The responsibility felt huge, and I wanted to present something meaningful. Unfortunately, COVID hit, and the event was canceled, but the experience itself stayed with me.
There have been many key moments along the way, but one that stands out was during a contemporary dance competition. The stage was completely dark except for the lights on us. I couldn’t see the audience, but I could hear them clapping, shouting, and even standing up at the end. I walked off stage breathless and in tears. I was overwhelmed, emotional, but also certain: I belonged there. On that stage. It was a beautiful feeling, and in that moment, I knew I wanted to feel it again and again, for the rest of my life.
So I guess I didn’t have just one “first time.” It was a series of experiences, big and small, that kept confirming what I already knew deep down: dance is not just what I do, it’s who I am.

Georgiana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a dancer and dance teacher from Greece. I was born in Athens, raised in the seaside town of Nafpaktos, and dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started ballet at the age of three, and by the age of five, I had already added hip hop and Greek folk dances to my weekly routine. Both of my parents are dancers and teachers of Greek folk dance, so I grew up surrounded by rhythm, music, and movement. Their influence was foundational in shaping my artistic identity.
Over the years, I expanded into many other styles, like contemporary, commercial, jazz, latin, and more. I’m a proud member of ΕΛ.ΚΕ.ΛΑ.Μ. (ELKELAM), Greek Folk Dance Centre, which is a really good Greek folk dance ensemble with a strong presence not only in Greece but internationally as well. After finishing school, I studied at the Athens Conservatoire, where I had the opportunity to explore an incredibly wide range of techniques, including ballet, contemporary (Limon, release), Graham, jazz, kathak, character, African dance, flamenco, and even tap and Irish dances. It was a truly formative experience, both physically and intellectually.
At the end of my time at the Conservatoire, I auditioned for The Ailey School in New York, specifically for the Independent Study Program, and I was accepted. I’ve just completed my year here, and it’s been an inspiring and transformative journey. Being in such a vibrant and diverse dance community has opened my eyes even more to the power of movement and collaboration.
Professionally, I work both as a performer and a teacher. I teach contemporary, commercial, ballet, and of course, Greek folk dances. One of the things that sets me apart is my desire to blend different styles. I love combining elements from Greek folk dances and hip hop with contemporary vocabulary. I think that cultural heritage can be both preserved and evolved through this kind of creative experimentation.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come, from a small town in Greece to training and performing in New York. I’ve also created pieces where I successfully merged Greek folk traditions with contemporary and urban styles, which feels like a personal and artistic victory. These kinds of hybrid creations are a part of what I want to continue exploring.
Looking ahead, I want to keep performing, choreographing, and building new creative collaborations. I’m especially interested in projects that reflect our everyday lives, global challenges, and cultural narratives. I hope to connect with other artists who are passionate, open-minded, and excited about creating something meaningful together. For me, dance is not just a profession, it’s a language, a bridge, and a way of living.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to connect, with the audience, with other dancers, and with my students. Dance allows me to express myself in ways that often make more sense to me than words. It gives me the freedom to share emotions, thoughts, and stories on a deeper level, and when people respond to that, when they feel something, it’s a beautiful kind of communication.
I also love that dance constantly opens doors to other cultures. Learning from different traditions and working with people from all over the world has made me grow not only as an artist, but as a person.
As a performer, one of the most powerful moments is knowing that you’ve created a feeling that stays with the audience, even after the music ends. Dance is fleeting, it exists in a specific moment in time. Unlike a painting or a sculpture, you can’t hold on to it physically. That’s why, when someone remembers a performance or applauds with real emotion, it feels so meaningful, like you’ve left a lasting mark in their memory.
And as a teacher, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see students enjoy class, come back excited, and challenge themselves. Watching them grow, achieve new things, and start discovering who they are through movement, that’s something I’m really proud of. Those small moments of progress and connection are what make all the effort worth it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes! At the heart of my creative journey is the desire to connect: with people, with culture, and with the deeper layers of emotion and meaning that dance can express. I want to use movement as a language, to tell stories, create emotional experiences, and inspire reflection. Dance has the power to make people feel, question, and connect, and I want to be part of that process.
A big part of my mission is also to explore how traditional elements, especially Greek folk dance, can coexist and evolve alongside contemporary styles. I’m constantly searching for new ways to blend them, not just for the sake of innovation, but as a way to honor heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
As a teacher, I care deeply about creating a safe and open space for students to grow, to explore their own voices, express freely, and keep “searching” both artistically and personally. It’s important to me that they feel supported, seen, and inspired, not just to dance better, but to think, feel, and evolve through the process.
Ultimately, I hope my work encourages people to reflect on their perspectives, to feel something meaningful, and maybe even to carry that experience into their everyday lives. That kind of impact, emotional, personal, and human, is what drives me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: loigeorgiana

Image Credits

Photograph with blue leotard & Headshot: Nir Arieli
Photographs with blue dress & black leotard: Canela Photography
Photographs with green dress & streetwear: David Jouary