Interview · 29 August 2026
When someone truly loves what they do, is willing to work hard and never stops growing, then they can make it
Aliki Mavroeidi
Interview by Eleni Lazaridou
From a pupil at the school at the age of three and a half, today she is the director and owner of Choroaktis. 5 Stigmes welcomed Aliki Mavroeidi and put 5 questions to her about the dream that came true, the path of the professional dancer, accredited dance schools, and the way in which dance can change a child's life.
Question 1
Before it took the name Choroaktis, these very same premises housed the school where you took your first steps as a dance pupil. If someone had told you back then that one day you would own the school, would you have believed them?
Aliki
I started here when I was just three and a half and stayed on as a pupil until I was 18. At the same time I was preparing for the Ministry of Culture examinations, which are essentially the equivalent of the national university entrance exams for the world of dance, and I was admitted to the Higher School of Dance. If you had asked me then whether I dreamed of being in this position today, the answer is yes. It had been my dream for as long as I can remember...
Question 2
At 17 or 18, did you imagine that one day you would be running this school and would be the protagonist of its story?
Aliki
That was always my dream. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work in dance. I feel truly lucky, because I was one of those children who knew from very early on what they wanted to do with their lives. I felt it inside me. Dance was my great love. I did other things along the way, but dance always held first place in my heart.
Question 3
When you were 15 or 16 and told your parents you wanted to pursue dance professionally, how did they react?
Aliki
I was truly lucky because I had, and still have, the constant support of my parents. They stood by me at every stage of my journey: as a pupil, as a university student, as a dance student, as an employee, and later as the director and owner of a dance school. Even today they are by my side and I am grateful to them for that. I hope that my husband and I can offer our own children the same trust and the same support, so that they have the courage to chase their own dreams.
Eleni Lazaridou · 5 Stigmes
That is rather rare. Most parents try to steer their children towards "safer", more traditional professions.
Aliki
I completely understand parents' anxiety. Most of the time they are not aware of all the professional possibilities that exist, and naturally they want their child to be able to make a decent living from their work. But I believe that when someone truly loves what they do, is willing to work hard and never stops growing, then they can make it. The arts are a tough field, but not an impossible one. It takes aptitude, perseverance and a willingness to keep learning throughout your career, not just during your years of study. That is what I wish for all young people, and especially for the children I have in my classes every day.
Question 4
Do you think that today the path for a young person who wants to become a professional dancer or dance teacher is harder than it was when you were starting out?
Aliki
I think quite a few things have changed, mainly in the way parents think. Little by little, the stereotypes are beginning to break down. Parents are better informed and realise that the world has changed and that professional success is not confined to a handful of traditional professions. I remember something that made a great impression on me. A child psychologist once asked a group of parents: "If your child were exceptional at singing but very weak at maths, where would you invest more?" Some answered that they would try to improve their child's maths. Others said they would nurture their singing talent. She explained that if there isn't the financial means to do both, it is preferable to cultivate the child's innate talent. That doesn't mean you ignore their weaknesses, but you place greater emphasis on what can genuinely develop into their strength. Personally, I agree with that philosophy completely.
Question 5
If a young person today dreams of having their own dance school or of making a career in dance, is that a goal that can still become a reality?
Aliki
Of course it can. As long as they know that it takes proper preparation and great dedication. To pursue dance professionally, in most cases you need to start at a young age and go through the examination process. There are, of course, styles of dance that one can take up later. But the most important thing is consistency, study and a willingness to make sacrifices. If a young person has those three things, then I truly believe they can achieve their goals.
