Ivona Bazgaloska is one of the most active and award-winning young pianists from North Macedonia. She began her musical education at the “Metodi Patche” Music School in Ohrid in the class of Prof. Daniel Churkoski, graduating as valedictorian of her generation. She continued at the “Ilija Nikolovski – Luj” Music and Ballet Center in Skopje under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Nina Kostova, where she received the award for Best Instrumentalist, presented by the family of Ilija Nikolovski – Luj. At the Faculty of Music in Skopje, she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with the highest marks in the class of Prof. Dr. Nina Kostova, further enriching her education under the mentorship of renowned professors Boris Romanov and Ljudmila Romanova.
Her competition experience is extensive, including seven special prizes and numerous first awards at national and international levels. Highlights include prizes at prestigious competitions such as Musical Perspective in Moscow, Grand Piano in Palace in St. Petersburg, Euterpe in Corato, Golden Classical Music Awards in New York, Virtuoso in London, Nouvelles Etoiles in Paris, among others. In 2023, she received the Yamaha Scholarship Award, bringing international recognition to her artistry.
She has performed under the baton of renowned conductors such as Borjan Canev, Igor Manasherov, Le Fi Fi, and Ana Spasovska. She has appeared three times as a soloist with the Macedonian Philharmonic, and in 2021 she performed with the St. Petersburg Camerata in Russia. She has also collaborated with the Ayga orchestra under the direction of Maestra Ana Spasovska.
Her artistic development has been enriched by masterclasses with eminent pianists and educators such as Boris and Ljudmila Romanovi, Michele Campanella, Monica Leone, Arbo Valdma, Alexander Yakovlev and Klaus Schilde.
Ivona regularly gives recitals both in North Macedonia and abroad. Notable performances include her solo appearance at the Church of St. Sophia in Ohrid (2018), her recital in Rome as part of the Concerti del Tempietto festival, as well as recitals organized by Jeunesses Musicales Macedonia. She has also performed at major music festivals in North Macedonia, such as Golden Lyre, Autumn Music Festivities, Pro Musica, Days of Macedonian Music, and Skopje Summer.
Alongside her solo repertoire, Ivona is deeply engaged in chamber music, collaborating with distinguished musicians from North Macedonia and abroad. In 2018, she performed at the Golden Lyre festival with violinist Aleksandar Ivanov, and together with Jana Kaveska, she appeared at the Soleil Festival in Sozopol, Bulgaria. She also formed a piano duo with her professor, Prof. Dr. Nina Kostova, with whom she developed the concert project Ballet for Four Hands, performing across North Macedonia and in Zagreb, Croatia. Together, they also took part in the international project United by Art and Music, hosted by Okxsa. In addition, she actively collaborates with Macedonian composers and maintains a strong artistic partnership with Dutch composer Teun van de Steeg, with whom she explores contemporary repertoire and new creative projects.
In addition to her musical career, Ivona is also developing her path as a visual artist. In 2023, she enrolled at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Skopje, specializing in Art Pedagogy. Her works have been presented in several group exhibitions, including Professors and Students, Collection, Re-Culture organized by Culture Beta, exhibitions hosted by Europe House Skopje, as well as the faculty’s annual exhibitions. Through her artistic expression, she explores the intersection of tradition and contemporary perspectives, enriching her profile as a versatile creator.
With her active engagement in both music and visual art, Ivona Bazgaloska is establishing herself as a multidisciplinary artist, dedicated to the development of cultural life both at home and abroad.
