Meet Georgiana Loi

We were lucky to catch up with Georgiana Loi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Georgiana , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience comes from my deep love for dance, my dream to grow as an artist, and the constant support of my incredible family.

I studied dance at the Athens Conservatoire in Greece, where I received my Diploma in Dance Pedagogy. Moving from Greece to New York to study at The Ailey School was both a dream come true and one of the biggest challenges of my life, emotionally and financially. Leaving my family behind, adjusting to a new culture and language, and finding my place in such a competitive environment wasn’t easy. My parents sacrificed a lot, and I often worried about my two amazing younger sisters, one studying and the other still at school. The cost of living in New York is dramatically higher than the cost of living in Greece, but my parents managed to find a way to support me in pursuing my dream.

I also faced a difficult injury that took months to heal, testing my patience and trust in my body. What kept me going was remembering where I came from and what I had already overcome. My family, friends and teachers reminded me who I truly am, and that helped me to keep going.

For me, resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about finding the courage to get back up, to keep showing up, and to keep growing through every challenge. There were many times I felt exhausted or afraid, doubting if I could make it to a class or audition. But every time I showed up, I was reminded why I’m here and how far I’ve come. Dance shapes my identity and keeps me moving forward.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a professional dancer and dance teacher originally from Greece. I was born and studied in Athens, but I grew up in Nafpaktos, a small town in western Greece. I took my first dance class when I was three years old, and since then, I’ve trained in a wide range of dance styles, from ballet and contemporary to commercial and various folk dances, including Greek folk dances.

I truly believe that exploring different styles of dance helps dancers expand their movement vocabulary and develop a more versatile artistic voice. Each style brings something unique that can inspire creativity and deepen your connection to the art form.

Personally, I feel most connected to contemporary dance, commercial styles, and Greek folk dances, all of which have deeply influenced both my performance and choreographic work. I especially enjoy experimenting with and blending elements and music from these styles. I love creating original pieces this way, as well as adding my unique touch to other choreographers’ works when I’m asked to.

One of the things I love most about dance is its power to express what words often cannot. It’s a universal language that allows you to share feelings, ideas, and stories, whether the audience is made up of dancers or people outside the dance world. The fact that you can move someone deeply using nothing but your movement and your feelings seems truly magical to me. I also see dance as a way to process emotions and connect with others. Everyday experiences, joyful or difficult, can be transformed into movement. It’s a process that helps me understand myself more deeply while building connections with others.

Currently, I’m a member of LUCID here in New York, with whom we recently performed and are preparing for future projects. I’m also a member of ΕΛ.ΚΕ.ΛΑ.Μ. (ELKELAM), Greek Folk Dance Centre, and Phos Dance Collective, which are both based in Greece. I grew up surrounded by Greek traditional music and folk dances, because both of my parents are teachers of Greek folk dances with a long history in the field, so that world has been part of my life from a very early age.

In addition to performing, I’m also actively auditioning and always looking for new and creative artistic opportunities and projects. I’d love to start teaching here in New York at some point as well. Also, while I don’t have a formal project to announce at this moment, I’m developing an idea I hope to bring to life through choreography when the time is right. It’s still taking shape, but it’s definitely something close to my heart.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, the three qualities that have been most important in my journey are perseverance, self-awareness, and openness to learning and new experiences.

Perseverance is the most important one. Even when things are difficult, you have to keep trying and never give up. You might face many failures, but these moments help you grow. Talent alone is never enough; you need patience, dedication, and hard work to achieve your goals. It’s also important to never stop dreaming. Moving to New York to pursue my passion was my dream, and together with my family, we managed to make it a reality.

Self-awareness is essential, because knowing who you are, along with your ideas and feelings, help you develop your own artistic voice. Taking time to understand yourself and your journey allows you to share your art honestly, so it truly connects with people.

Lastly, being open to learning and embracing new experiences continues to inspire my growth and creativity. Exploring different dance styles and art forms, and collaborating with different artists, has broadened my creative horizons and helped me grow continuously, both as an artist and as a person.

I would advise anyone starting their journey to stay persistent, stay curious, and use your experiences. Each challenge and opportunity can teach you something valuable if you remain willing to learn and stay focused.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to believe in me completely and to always support me and my dreams. Both of them teach Greek folk dances alongside their main professions, so I grew up surrounded by movement and music. They taught me that dance is a way to express who you are, to connect with others, and to understand your past while evolving through it.

My parents have always worked really hard to make sure that my sisters and I had everything we needed. They made many sacrifices so that we could follow our dreams, and I’m deeply grateful for their love and endless encouragement.

Growing up, especially now that I live abroad and I face life’s challenges on my own, I realize how extraordinary it is that they managed to raise three children with so much love, kindness and strength. They are my heroes! Their love and faith in me have shaped the person I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loigeorgiana/?hl=el
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@georgianaloi7550

Image Credits

Isabella Grigera & Elena Loi

Layla Shoo

Nir Arieli

Sonia Goubet