Danijela Popović

Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Danijela relocated to New York in 1990 for continued graduate studies at The Juilliard School. After graduating, she dedicated eight years to the Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem, where she was the principal pianist, piano teacher, and head of the Piano Department. Danijela is the co-founder and principal performer of the all-female ensemble ”D’Divaz” for which she composed, performed, promoted and marketed original music. With D’Divaz Danijela released a CD in 2000, was a guest performer on Elliot Sharp’s CD State of Mind, was a Storm King Artists in Residence, organized a concert to benefit the rebuilding of the Children’s Hospital in Belgrade, and co-starred in the movie Yugo Divas.

Danijela has performed over 500 concerts and recitals; has made appearances on ABC, CBS, Fox 5, Studio B in Belgrade, and Radio Television Belgrade, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Joes Pub at the Public Theatre.
Danijela studied acting at HB Studio where she was a member of the HB Studio Ensemble. She is also a member of Necessary I.T.E.M.S.
Project, a NY based theater ensemble. Her recent redits include:
Benefit directed by Ellie Ellsworth, The Circus of Life directed by Lynn Barr; Lady with a Lapdog With Jokes and Happy Ending directed by Aleksey Burago; The Dome, Prospect Theatre production; Almost A Fantasy ( Fringe NYC 2012), directed by John Grabowski; The Red Wednesday ( Ice Factory 2013), directed by Sanaj Gajar; Mother of God directed by Vincent Gaeta; Medea, American Thyme Theatre production; Waiting for Godot directed by Vincent Gaeta; The Requiem, Necessary I.T.E.M.S. Project, Crime and Punishment directed by Aleksey Burago; Flight Number Love, Necessary I.T.E.M.S. Project, Theatre For The New City and The Last Station, directed by Irina Abraham, for which she  was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress Award at The Planet Connections Theatre Festival.
In addition to her extensive musical and theatrical career, Danijela made a significant impact on New York theater audiences in the summer of 2024. She debuted as the writer, actress, and pianist of the critically acclaimed monodrama “When it hurts you play” directed by Aleksey Burago. The play  premiered at Theatre 86 in NYC, production by Di Zhu, costumes by Sarah O’Donnell.

In 2025, Danijela was awarded Best Actress at the Albamono Festival in Albania, affirming her as a compelling force on the international stage. That same year, she appeared as a Special Guest at the Festival of Festivals in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, further cementing her growing global presence.

Her work resonates across borders, cultures, and disciplines, making her an ideal collaborator for visionary directors, producers, and festival curators seeking bold, unforgettable talent.