Ida Victoria Nowakowska: With Imagination, We Can Be Offline and More Alive
03 / 07 / 2025
Ida Victoria Nowakowska, a Polish-American artist, will be the star of the opening evening Unexpected Baroque. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, she is a dancer, singer, actress, and choreographer who moves fluidly across many artistic realms.
How did you get into dance and choreography?
I started dancing when I was five. I graduated from the National Ballet School in Poland and studied at the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in New York. I’ve won many dance competitions, including the international Gold Pointe Grand Prix, and I was named the top graduate of ballet schools in Poland. For 20 years, I’ve performed in both Poland and the U.S.—including the Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center in New York—in theatre, musicals, and on television. I believe in a professional foundation based on classical technique, though as a dancer and choreographer I blend multiple styles. I spent many years doing tap and even won a world championship. I also received several international awards in modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop dance. Each genre has its own technique, history, and culture. I’ve always enjoyed moving fluidly among different dance styles.
Do you prefer dancing to hosting or acting?
I love combining dance, singing, and acting, which is why I fell in love with musicals. I’ve played leading roles in Reel to Real at Lincoln Center in New York, the white cat Victoria in Cats, as well as in Dance of the Vampires, Peter Pan, and others. I received triple platinum for The Phantom of the Opera album, where I sang the role of Meg Giry. I’ve worked in television and film as well. I acted in my first feature film at age seven and hosted my first TV show at twelve. I’m deeply grateful to many wonderful people and mentors I’ve met along the way – like Leslie Brown, known for the lead role in the film Breaking Pointe, who offered me private lessons for free in New York.
Which of your professions do you enjoy the most, and why?
I think each one is fulfilling and complete in its own way. I really enjoy hosting major TV entertainment shows like Junior Eurovision, The Voice Kids, So You Think You Can Dance (I’m the only person in the show’s history to have been a contestant, host, and judge), or Virtuosos. These allow me to combine hosting, acting, improvisation, and dance. In classical dance, music is connected with movement – dancers use their bodies as instruments to tell stories through motion instead of singing or speaking. Everything is interconnected and complementary.
Who or what has influenced you the most in life?
My faith in God gives me great strength and courage, even as an artist. And my family is a huge inspiration. My father, Marek Nowakowski, was a writer. My mother, Joanna Zamojdo, is a wonderful documentarian and artist; her uncle was one of the most important post-war painters in Poland and France. I have an amazing four-year-old son and a very intelligent husband – both constantly inspire me.
You’ve received many prestigious awards. Which one means the most to you?
I’m grateful for every award – they prove that hard work and kindness pay off. I’m especially proud of the Wiktor, Poland’s top television award, because it’s given by viewers – and what’s better than public recognition? I’m also proud of my dance awards, which are the result of years of training and creative work. Another special honour is the BohaterON award, which I received for showing respect for history in my social media and television work. I believe that knowledge and preservation of history are essential. Understanding Poland’s complex past is crucial for remaining a strong, independent country, the kind our ancestors fought for.
You’ll perform at the Český Krumlov Festival this year. Is it your first time? Are you excited?
I was invited by director Gabriela Rachidi – we worked together on the Virtuosos competition for young classical music talents. I’ve studied historical baroque dance technique, and for Unexpected Baroque I created choreography based on original baroque dances such as the minuet, allemande, and contredanse, deconstructed through modern, hip-hop, and neoclassical styles.
When you think of the Czech Republic, what comes to mind first?
The first thing that comes to mind is the amazing composers, architecture, and culture. Also, the language, which sounds cute to Poles. When I hear Czech, I can’t help but smile. I’ve heard that Czechs feel the same about Polish. Maybe that’s why our countries have such a great relationship.
You recently visited Český Krumlov. How did you like South Bohemia?
I’ve been to Český Krumlov several times – the first time was for the opening of Festival Krumlov, which enchanted me with its quality and atmosphere. The architecture blew me away. I’m convinced that Unexpected Baroque, which I’m helping to create and will perform in, will be an absolutely extraordinary evening in this unique setting. I returned to the South Bohemian town with the festival director Gabriela Rachidi to explore and envision how the baroque night would look. The entire event will unfold in the castle park and on the pond – right on the water… It’s going to be a truly one-of-a-kind and multi-layered experience.
You’re very active on social media. How do you view it, and what do you like to share there?
You can find me on Instagram at @idavictoria. I love sharing artistic projects I’m working on—behind the scenes from theatre, film, and television productions—as well as things I care about like history and, of course, my family. I have wonderful followers and fans who are genuinely interested in my work, and I’m very grateful for them.
You have a small son – how do you balance a busy calendar with motherhood?
I take Max everywhere with me – whether it’s filming for TV productions, dance rehearsals, or other projects. He loves being part of everything. It was the same for me – both my parents are artists. My mother helps me a lot with our son, and I’m incredibly grateful to her. My husband is an amazing father – we support each other however we can. We’ve managed to create a really well-functioning team! 🙂
Video, edit: Filip Zoubek, photo: Kateřina Sobičková
How do you relax, Ida Victoria? Can you be offline?
I grew up in a house full of books – I love reading. When we read, our brains create unique images from the letters and words. I also relax every time I hold my son Max in my arms – it feels like I’m holding the whole world. Classical music and watching movement transport me to other worlds too. If we can activate our imagination, we can travel beautifully. I recommend it to everyone. And come to Festival Krumlov to enjoy beautiful classical music, dance, and art. You’ll be offline – and more alive than ever.
The opening concert, Unexpected Baroque, will take place on Friday 11 July at 21:00 on the lake and in the castle park.
- Contact: Štěpánka Filipová, PR Manager & Spokesperson, filipova@festivalkrumlov.cz, 724 302 802
- Photos for the visual Unexpected Baroque
