From Pirouettes to Pipettes with Bianca Navari

Senior Bianca Navari grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland and started ballet at 11 years old. With natural talent, Navari moved to Moscow when she was 16 to study at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. After graduating, she joined The Russian Ballet Theater as a professional dancer and now finds herself at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a chemical engineering degree.

Take a peak behind the curtain and learn more about Navari, her time in the ballet, and her curiosity for chemistry!

Why did you choose the UW-Madison?

I chose UW-Madison because it perfectly balances rigorous academics, a vibrant social scene, and a large research hub. The school has a solid reputation, and I was drawn to the sense of community and the variety of activities available, both inside and outside the classroom.

Tell us about the growth of your intellectual curiosity?

Even when I was at the peak in my career as a ballet dancer, I always knew I’d return to school for a higher education. A career in ballet is physically demanding and limited in time, with most dancers retiring around the age of 35. While many in my field transition into teaching ballet, I found myself drawn to exploring new challenges and opportunities beyond dance. This led me to seek out a university education where I could satisfy my intellectual curiosity and build a foundation for a new career path. I did the math and knew I had to start college by the time I was 24. 

Why drew you to chemical engineering?

Although I entered university undecided what my major should be, I found myself enjoying my chemistry, physics, and math courses. They are all precise – just like ballet. The chemical and biological engineering curriculum stood out to me because it combines all three of these subjects and is in itself rigorous and demanding.

What have been the highlights of your chemical engineering education so far?

While personal achievements, like securing a spot in a research group during my freshman year, certainly add to my resume, the true highlights of my time at Madison are the countless interactions with professors, TAs, and fellow students. Chemical engineering is a challenging field. Our professors and TAs play a crucial role in helping us bridge the gap between the simplified concepts we start with and the complex, science-driven world we aim to understand. However, it’s ultimately up to us as students to make sense of it all, and this journey wouldn’t be possible without the support of the friends I’ve made within my engineering cohort. It’s the moments or learning, collaboration, and discovery that will ultimately mold me into an engineer worthy of a UW-Madison diploma.

What extracurricular activities or student orgs have you participated in at UW-Madison?

I love running, drawing, and I still take occasional dance classes at Barrio, a local dance studio.

What was your time like in the ballet?

My years spent working as a professional ballerina were incredible. My company was based in Moscow, Russia, and we toured South America, Germany, Switzerland, Crimea, and all of Russia. The opportunity to travel is an education in itself. I was introduced to different cultures, cities, customs, languages, and foods. The ballet dancing was rigorous and demanding. It gave me the discipline I needed to be successful academically.

What was the transition like from ballet to university?

My move back to the US was quite difficult. I had become an adult in Russia. After living there for eight years, my identity was tightly bound to Slavic culture and ballet. It was painful to move away knowing I might never see my Russian friends again. The academic environment was so foreign and, at first, very difficult. I thought I was going to fail out of school after my first Chemistry Exam – I didn’t. By my second semester, I found myself feeling at home in Madison and enjoying the change in my life’s trajectory. It was finally exciting.

How do you feel your time in the ballet has prepared you for university?

Ballet taught me so much. It gave me my work ethic and determination. The discipline required for ballet taught me the value of preparation and punctuality, both of which are essential in academic life. Additionally, working through injuries helped me learn patience with myself, allowing me to approach challenges with a balanced perspective.

What are your career plans?

 After graduating, I plan to enter the pharmaceutical industry. Over the past two summers, I had the opportunity to work for a small pharmaceutical company in Madison, where I discovered a deep sense of fulfillment in the work I was doing. Beyond the technical challenges, what I found most rewarding was contributing to a company whose mission aligned closely with my personal values.

What might you share with other incoming engineering students?

Go to office hours and engage with other students.

Fun Facts with Bianca Navari

Favorite Babcock Ice Cream Flavor? Mint chip and coffee ice cream

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I have an extra bone in my left foot!

Favorite study spot? Engineering Centers Building

Favorite place for lunch grub? I love visiting the food trucks on State Street. There’s so much to try!

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