Iva Danceteacher

ABOUT MEIva Kostova

Dance Teacher

My name is Iva – I’m a “fourth generation” dancer, in love in Bulgarian Folklore. My grandfather is Sando Shopa – an exceptional dancer and choreographer. He was one of the first members of Sofia’s “Filip Kutev” ensemble, with which he danced around the world and won a number of awards. It was there that he met, and subsequently – fell in love with my grandmother. My mother is also a professional dancer – she worked with the “Stroitelni Voiski” ensemble, while simultaneously teaching at the National School of Dance in Sofia. You could say that the love and appreciation for Bulgarian Folklore run in my blood.

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I am a positive, happy person and a big fan of the “if there’s a will there’s a way” principle. I love my work, and I always try to give it my all. I am absolutely certain that everyone is good at something – it’s just a matter of finding the right goals. I believe that national folklore plays a significant role in understanding our ancestors and our own place in the world. It is an integral part of who we are as people, and it is our duty to preserve this tradition for the coming generations. After all, dancing unites us and makes us better people!

I was born in Sofia, where I also graduated from the “National School of Dance Arts” (NUTI). I have been doing rhythmic gymnastics since the age of three. Then I danced ballet at Krassimira Koldamova’s school. Not long after, I was admitted to NUTI, where I majored in ‘Classical Dances’, and from 8th grade – in the speciality’ Bulgarian Dances’.

After graduating from school, I went to Turkey and worked with the ‘Roxalana’ performance group, where I learned even more different styles of dance. A few years later, when I returned to Bulgaria, I joined Neshka Robeva’s troupe. Mrs Robeva gave us the opportunity to create and create dances. At that time, I was also admitted to Plovdiv’s Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts (AMTII), where I majored in ‘Bulgarian Folk Choreography’. Subsequently, I also earned my master’s degree in Art Management there.

At the beginning of 2011, I joined Sofia’s “Philip Kutev” National Ensemble and started working on “Energy” – my very own dance studio, specialised in Zumba and Bulgarian Folk Dances. During this period, I also began teaching dances for children at the Benkovski Center, Sofia.

I spent the 2012-2013 period studying at the “Golden Green College” in London, while also teaching Bulgarian Folk Dances to children and adults in my spare time.

In 2013 I created the folklore ensemble “BULGARIA” in London. For the first time, I worked with non-professionals, and I was thoroughly amazed by their love for their folklore and their desire to preserve their roots, their culture, their very spirit…

Numerous concerts, performances, festivals and beautiful emotions followed. From the very beginning, I wanted to help all fans of Bulgarian folklore to “feel the stage” – the place that lets everyone be what they want to be. The place where I grew up and became an artist. The place where you forget about everything and experience real magic.

I was also offered a teaching position in several Bulgarian schools in London, Reading and Basingstoke, which I promptly accepted. It’s incredible how, even though they were born in England, these children still manage to relate to our culture and carry a piece of our country within themselves. In closing, I’d like to express my huge admirations for all the parents, teachers and managers of Bulgarian schools around the world!

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196 Lancaster Road, London, EN2 0JH
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