With over 15 years of teaching experience in hip-hop, contemporary dance, and improvisation, Ivana has mentored generations of dancers and choreographers in institutions like Boris Eifman Academy, ZHdK, Kannon Dance Company and others worldwide. Her choreography—from the award-winning “Code #9” to the deeply resonant “My Blood, My Politics”—dives into themes such as queer resistance, the deconstruction of patriarchal power dynamics, and the delicate interplay of violence and non-violence.

In all her creations, Ivana embraces the body as a site of resistance and transformation. Her work foregrounds feminist and queer perspectives, interrogating how power and agency are negotiated in personal and collective spaces. Through a commitment to dialogue, experimentation, and relational ethics, Ivana Balabanova’s artistry embodies the transformative potential of dance as a space for radical reflection, connection, and change.

As the founder of the Beatrix Cultural Center and a member of the collective Dance Bunker, she develops platforms that decentralize dance education, prioritize inclusivity, and amplify underrepresented voices. Her projects, such as Tanz.Transformator with the Swiss Embassy in North Macedonia, VADA-Virtual American Dance Academy with the US Embassy in North Macedonia and the international festival Beatrix Dance League, emphasize accessible and community-driven approaches to art, fostering connections across diverse geographies and identities.