About Genci Kastrati
Genci Kastrati is one of the leading figures of Albanian folk dance, continuing a family tradition—his father was a dancer and choreographer, raising Genci on stage and within the world of folklore from early childhood.
He received his professional training at the National School of Choreography (known historically as the Ballet School) in Tirana. In 1985, he passed a national audition and joined the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Albania, the country’s only state professional ensemble dedicated to preserving and developing Albanian folk dance traditions. There, he distinguished himself first as a dancer and later as a soloist, performing in hundreds of productions in Albania and abroad. During this period, without stepping away from performing, he completed his higher education in Choreography at the University of Arts, seamlessly combining stage work with academic formation.
In 2008, Genci staged his first full-length concert as its author and choreographer, opening the path toward his independent creative career. Since then, he has produced dozens of original works for ensembles and major artistic projects in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Ukraine etc, as well as for national and international festivals.
Since 2018, he holds the honorary title Master of Dance and leads the dance troupe of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Albania, contributing to repertoire revitalization, new premieres, and mentoring the next generation of performers.
Genci has taught at the University of Arts and the University of Sports in Tirana, and currently teaches folk dance at the National School of Choreography, the same institution where he was originally trained as an artist. He is also the initiator of the national program “Education Through Art,” which brought folk dance into schools and involved hundreds of students and emerging local groups.
His professional involvement includes national-level responsibilities:
✔ Member of the Artistic-Scientific Council of the National Center for Folk Activities
✔ Jury member in national and international folk dance festivals
✔ Member of the Albanian national jury at Eurovision Liverpool 2023
Internationally, he is one of the most sought-after Albanian folk dance instructors, leading workshops, master classes, and seminars in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and beyond — particularly in the USA, where he has been part of Stockton Folk Dance Camp, Laguna Folk Dance Festival, San Antonio Folk Dance Festival, Fall Camp, Boulder International Folk Dancers, and more.
With a lifetime on stage, original artistic work, institutional contribution, and continuous teaching, Genci Kastrati remains one of the most important figures preserving, interpreting, and advancing Albanian folk dance today.
He received his professional training at the National School of Choreography (known historically as the Ballet School) in Tirana. In 1985, he passed a national audition and joined the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Albania, the country’s only state professional ensemble dedicated to preserving and developing Albanian folk dance traditions. There, he distinguished himself first as a dancer and later as a soloist, performing in hundreds of productions in Albania and abroad. During this period, without stepping away from performing, he completed his higher education in Choreography at the University of Arts, seamlessly combining stage work with academic formation.
In 2008, Genci staged his first full-length concert as its author and choreographer, opening the path toward his independent creative career. Since then, he has produced dozens of original works for ensembles and major artistic projects in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Ukraine etc, as well as for national and international festivals.
Since 2018, he holds the honorary title Master of Dance and leads the dance troupe of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Albania, contributing to repertoire revitalization, new premieres, and mentoring the next generation of performers.
Genci has taught at the University of Arts and the University of Sports in Tirana, and currently teaches folk dance at the National School of Choreography, the same institution where he was originally trained as an artist. He is also the initiator of the national program “Education Through Art,” which brought folk dance into schools and involved hundreds of students and emerging local groups.
His professional involvement includes national-level responsibilities:
✔ Member of the Artistic-Scientific Council of the National Center for Folk Activities
✔ Jury member in national and international folk dance festivals
✔ Member of the Albanian national jury at Eurovision Liverpool 2023
Internationally, he is one of the most sought-after Albanian folk dance instructors, leading workshops, master classes, and seminars in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and beyond — particularly in the USA, where he has been part of Stockton Folk Dance Camp, Laguna Folk Dance Festival, San Antonio Folk Dance Festival, Fall Camp, Boulder International Folk Dancers, and more.
With a lifetime on stage, original artistic work, institutional contribution, and continuous teaching, Genci Kastrati remains one of the most important figures preserving, interpreting, and advancing Albanian folk dance today.
