Meet Dusanka Gradiski Ivanova | Ballet Pedagogue, Professor, and Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dusanka Gradiski Ivanova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dusanka, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My family’s unwavering love, support, and guidance have been the driving force behind success and a constant source of inspiration, particularly in the professional journey as a professional ballerina, ballet professor, pedagogue, choreographer, artistic director, and a doctor of arts in dance. My parents were powerful role models, instilling the belief that it was possible to achieve full potential.
Later, my own family: husband, two sons and a daughter, provided me a strong emotional foundation, offering comfort, encouragement, and a safe space during challenging times. This emotional security deepened with the arrival of grandchildren, strengthening resilience when facing setbacks. Over 40 years in the ballet world, their support nurtured self-esteem and fostered a belief in abilities, enabling the pursuit of goals with optimism and determination.
Strong family bonds reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to better physical and mental health—factors crucial for overall well-being and success.
Thanks to my family’s guidance and support, I am today an academically educated professional with a successful ballet career. I am blessed with the opportunity to shape and mentor my students into skilled professionals.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The ballet career is a tapestry woven with dedication, countless hours of practice, and an unwavering belief in the power of artistic expression. From the moment I stepped into a ballet studio as a nine-year-old, it was possible to find a calling, and that passion fueled every plié, every pirouette, and every leap, back then and later. What set me as a ballet dancer apart from others was artistic sensibility and the ability to breathe life into the roles embodied. While technical mastery dancing on pointe is essential, it’s necessary to go beyond the steps, delving into the emotional landscape of each character and performance. A unique strength can be found in connecting with the audience on a deeper level, allowing them to experience the story and emotions through movements. This ability to combine artistry with technical precision allows every dancer to truly stand out.
Moments on stage when I feel completely connected to the music, the choreography, and the emotions of the performance are a source of immense pride. The feeling of conveying a story and touching the hearts of the audience is what excites me about this profession. These are the moments that make all the sacrifices worthwhile and reaffirm a dancer’s purpose.
The journey to my professional ballet career was often challenging. The relentless pursuit of perfection in ballet was mentally and physically demanding, requiring sacrifices in my personal life and a constant battle against self-doubt, especially while I was on my specialization at the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. However, I have learned to navigate these challenges by embracing a growth mindset and focusing on continuous improvement which resulted with dancing a solo role in Arabian Dance in the second act of “The Nutcracker”, on the stage of prestigious Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Injury and setbacks were also a part of this journey, testing my resilience and forcing me to find new ways to approach the career. These obstacles provided me opportunities for self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the body and its capabilities. Through it all, it was important to learn about patience, perseverance, and to listen to my body, ensuring that I maintain my health and wellbeing both on and off stage.
The most important lessons learned along the way are the importance of discipline, resilience, and the power of believing in yourself. Ballet and choreography can instill a strong sense of self-discipline, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work tirelessly towards goals.
As ballet mistress & choreographer at the National Opera and Ballet of Macedonia, my goals have been achieved and choreography was provided for opera productions, including “Pagliacci”, “La Forza del Destino”, “Rigoletto”, “Cavalleria Rusticana”, “Aida”, “Turandot”, and full-length ballets including “For the Unknown”, “Last Game”, and “Mozart’s Golden Feather”.
The world should know that ballet is more than just a dance form; it’s a powerful medium for self-expression, storytelling, and connecting with the human spirit. In 2007, I moved to the USA. My journey as a ballet dancer and later academic ballet pedagogue, choreographer, and an artistic director of Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg in Florida is a testament to the transformative power of art and the endless possibilities that can be achieved through dedication, perseverance, and a strong belief in myself and my students/dancers. It’s about finding a unique voice within the discipline of ballet and allowing my passion to shine through with every movement of choreography. All these years, the work with students/dancers has been and is still ongoing.
The choreography staged for them were: “Vivaldi’s Four Seasons”, “The Nutcracker”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs”, “Dr. Doolittle”, “Coppelia”, “La Fille mal Gardee”, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, “Raymonda”, “La Bayadere”, “Peter Pan”, “Les Sylphides”, “Cinderella”, “Clara’s Christmas Dreams”. My choreography was featured in the Florida Lyrica Opera’s production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, and with New Century Opera’s production of “Carmen”, “Iphigenia in Aulis”, “Macbeth”, and “Rienzi”.
Regarding the challenges, I overcame them with persistent working. Professional experience in the American dance world encompassed teaching positions at Rehearsal Studios (Off-Broadway, NYC) and Dance World Academy (Randolph, NJ). Also, I held roles as adjunct dance professor at SPC Gibbs Campus (St. Petersburg, FL), dance director at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School, and artistic director at Florida Dance Center and Florida West Ballet. Furthermore, I lectured as a guest professor at the USF- School of Theater and Dance in Tampa, America’s Ballet School, Tampa City Ballet, and International Ballet of Florida.
Truly, I am very proud of the completion of my PhD dissertation defending a thesis “European Influence in establishing ballet in America in 20th Century. Comparison analysis between American and European Ballet Schools”, earning a degree of a Doctor of Arts in Dance. My book is scheduled for printing very soon in Bulgaria.
I am consistently enthusiastic about researching, publishing, and presenting scientific articles about ballet at international conferences.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Upon my friend’s arrival, I would ease her into the St. Petersburg rhythm immediately by starting exploring with a casual stroll along Beach Drive NE, taking in the picturesque waterfront views at The Pier and stopping for a delicious meal at my favorite Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro for fresh seafood and ambiance. Later, we would enjoy some live music at Ruby’s Elixir, highly-rated spot.
Day 2:
We would beginning our day with a visit to the renowned Dalí Museum, a world-class institution dedicated to the surrealist master Salvador Dalí. Afterwards, we would immerse ourselves in the enchanting beauty of the Sunken Gardens, a botanical paradise with cascading waterfalls and vibrant flora. For lunch, we could grab a bite at a local spot like The Library for New American cuisine. Then to head to St. Pete Beach Access, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the US, and enjoy a breathtaking sunset.
Day 3:
We would embark on an island adventure with a ferry ride to Egmont Key State Park, and explore the historical Fort Dade, relaxing on the secluded beaches, and keep an eye out for dolphins and gopher tortoises. Also, we would consider a clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve and its mangrove tunnels.
Day 4:
We would delve deeper into St. Pete’s art scene by visiting the Chihuly Collection, featuring breathtaking glass sculptures, and then the Imagine Museum with its captivating contemporary glass art. We would explore the quirky and colorful Grand Central District, renowned for its street art and unique shops. Then, enjoying a casual dinner at a spot like Eat Art Love, a modern café and gallery in the Warehouse Arts District known for its creative culinary classics. Undoubtedly, we would end our art day with a beautiful ballet performance of “Swan Lake” at the Mahaffey Theatre.
Day 5:
For an adrenaline rush, we would take a day trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and experience the thrills of their roller coasters, including the Iron Gwazi. For relaxing dinner and drinks we would visit Parkshore Grill, offering refined steaks and seafood.
Day 6:
We would take a day trip to the charming sponge-diving town of Tarpon Springs, where we could explore the historic Sponge Docks, indulge in authentic Greek cuisine, and browse the unique shops. Later, we would head to Clearwater Beach with scenic nature trails and beaches.
Day 7:
We would take some time for last-minute souvenir shopping. Afternoon, we would explore Gulfport and enjoy an Italian meal at Pia’s Trattoria, where we would reflect on the amazing memories created during her St. Pete adventure as we prepare for her departure, promising a return visit soon!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The journey of any aspiring artist is paved with challenges and triumphs, requiring not only dedication and perseverance, but often the guiding hand of a mentor who believes in their potential. In the realm of ballet, where discipline and artistry intertwine, the role of a skilled and supportive teacher can be truly transformative. My own recognition of my successes in life, particularly within the world of dance, stems significantly from the efforts, encouragement, and mentorship of my ballet professors: Gjurgjica Jovanovska – Macedonia (Middle and High school “ballet” professor), Irina Trofimova – Russia (University level “methods of teaching ballet” professor) and Peter Loukanov – Bulgaria (University level of “choreography & directing” professor). Their presence in my ballet story deserves a heartfelt acknowledgment and a profound sense of gratitude. Ballet, at its core, is more than just mastering complex techniques and executing graceful movements. It is an art form that demands emotional depth, intellectual curiosity, and a deep understanding of the human spirit. Being under my professors’ tutelage was instrumental in shaping not just my ballet technique but my entire approach to the art form.
Navigating the competitive world of dance can be daunting, filled with moments of self-doubt and the pressure to constantly strive for perfection. In these challenging times, a mentor’s unwavering belief can be the very foundation upon which a dancer builds resilience and confidence. My professors provided not just guidance, but genuine love and encouragement, fostering an environment where growth was nurtured, and setbacks were viewed as opportunities for learning. The understanding that mistakes were not failures, but rather essential steps in artistic development was instilled.
The impact of an exceptional mentor, such as Professor Jovanovska extends beyond improved technique and performance skills giving me an opportunity later as educated professional ballerina to dance on the world famous stages in China, Russia, Germany, France, Croatia, Serbia, Switzerland and native Macedonia. My dancing repertoire includes principal and solo roles in “The Nutcracker”, “La Fille mal Gardee”, “Ellan”, “Giselle”, “Swan Lake”, “Ilo Tempora”, “Cadet’s Dance”, “The Fountain of Bakhchisaray”, “Don Quixote”, and “Ad Absurdum”.
Professor Trofimova’s and Professor Loukanov’s dedication to me as their university level student undoubtedly extends beyond the ballet room, influencing both technical skill, personal and artistic journeys, shaping me in a successful international ballet pedagogue (Vaganova method) and choreographer/ballet director. Their support and passion for the art form have left a lasting mark, which is very appreciated.

Website: www.balletacademyofstpetersburg.com

Instagram: @dr.d_balletofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusanka-gradiski-ivanova-phd-0539282b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dusanka.ivanova?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Private archive.