Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, Miloš Damnjanović is a professional traditional Serbian dancer and choreographer. He studied at the Lujo Davičo Dance School in Belgrade, majoring in Serbian traditional dance, and soon became a soloist with the international folk dance ensembles Talija and Frula. In 2011, Miloš brought his talents to the United States and joined the esteemed folk dance company Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Dancing with this expert ensemble expanded his knowledge of Balkan folk dances, working with choreographers from countries such as Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Miloš soon became the Assistant Artistic Director for the ensemble while continuing to dance and choreograph for various other dance troupes.
Now a resident of South Florida, Miloš has graced international stages including in Europe, Taiwan, China, Dubai, Tunisia, Mexico, and the United States. His acrobatic and energetic performances highlight the diversity of folk traditions of Balkan countries while celebrating the cultural similarities that unite the region. In addition to performing, Miloš is the founder of ShowHustler—a developing digital platform designed to connect dancers and musicians with global opportunities. Inspired by his own artistic journey, the project aims to empower performers through networking, visibility, and community-driven collaboration.
Residency Programs
Family Fun Day: Traditions of Serbia
Saturday, September 13
FREE
Dance Performance: Celebrating Serbian American Friendship
Sunday, October 5
FREE
Workshop: Serbian Folk Dance
Saturday, November 15
Registration required
The following is from an interview HistoryMiami Museum conducted with Miloš Damnjanović in 2025.
What is your name? Where were you born?
My name is Miloš Damnjanović. I was born in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
Tell us how and why you came to live in South Florida.
I first came to South Florida in 2009 on tour with Ensemble Talija. It felt just right – warm, energetic, multicultural. I saw the lifestyle and said, “Yeah, I could live here.”
What traditions and art forms do you practice?
I practice Serbian traditional dance, plus other folk styles from Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
How did you learn these traditions?
I started dancing with Ensemble Talija in Belgrade. Then I went to Ballet High School “Lujo Davičo” where I explored Serbian tradition more deeply. Later, I joined the Tamburitzans at Duquesne University and got exposed to even more cultures from across Eastern Europe and the diverse communities in the United States.
Tell us a bit about the history of the dance forms in which you specialize.
These dances come from real life, work, celebrations, rituals, or love. Over time, they absorbed outside influences but stayed true to their purpose. Serbian traditional dance is where emotion takes the lead over logic, and it teaches us to be unapologetic in the moment.
Tell me about the diversity of traditions across the regions of Serbia.
Serbia sits between East and West. The North reflects Austro-Hungarian influence, and the South carries traces of the Ottoman Empire. Different regions have different music, dance steps, and costumes, but the Serbian core stays strong throughout.
Tell me about the costumes, accessories, and other items that you use during performances.
We wear original costumes from regions like Šumadija, Vlach areas, Roma communities, and other regions and ethnic groups in Serbia. Every detail matters, from embroidery to colors, nothing is random or generic.
What do you value the most about practicing this tradition?
It keeps you grounded and open at the same time – like Yin and Yang. You learn to respect your roots and others’ cultures, but also to think beyond the stage. It shows you how tradition can live off stage too, as something you adapt, apply, and build on.
In partnership with Cultural Square with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
