Our Teachers

Our school is not based on one artist or dance group, nor  a certain movement method. Our teaching staff includes 15 permanent teachers, all of which are active dancers and choreographers, working independently or with established dance companies in Israel. The teachers have acquired their knowledge and experience both in Israel and internationally, bringing a wide range of dance & movement vocabularies, strongly influenced by their studies and experiences.

Aviv Eveguy - Contemporary Dance

Graduated from the Dance Studio in Jerusalem under the management of Tamara Mialnik and graduated from the Alvin Ailey Dance School in New York. In New York he worked with the following choreographers and companies: “Markovski/ Tzukoima Dance Theatre”, “The Daniel Gritzman Company” and “The Jonathan Apple Dance Company” with whom he toured Europe and North Africa. 

He is a former member of the Dance Theatre Company, Jerusalem; Jonathan Apple’s company, New York; and Vertigo Dance Company. He is currently dancing in the duet “Beauty free” by Ronit Ziv and in the solo “Heaven’s Yard” by Aviv Evgi.

The principles of the dance classes: training the body, developing the body’s physical and technical abilities of movement within space, discovering how to make minimal use of strength to create a burst of strength. Work will be done towards an increasing awareness of space and the body moving within space. Floor work and standing technical work will be put to use for strengthening and flexibility.

Aviv and the actor Amir Evgi, won first place in the International Festival for Street Performances in Bat Yam, with their play “?“ in 2004. Aviv has been teaching dance in The Group in Jaffa since 2003 and in the Nissan Nativ acting school, Jerusalem.

Aviv's website: http://aviveveguy.com

Shlomit Fundaminski - Contemporary Dance

Shlomit has a B.Ed. degree in the dance program of the Kibutzim Seminar College. She has studied in the multi- disciplinary arts program of Tel- Aviv University as well as physical theatre in the Body Theatre School.

Shlomit’s dance classes focus on perfecting the dancer’s physical abilities, integration of floor work, Release and dance theatre. Likewise attention will be given to discovering our presence and paying attention to the body while learning a language of movement which focuses on emotions, sensual memory and individual sensations as a basis for movement.

Shlomit has been a freelance creator since 2000 and performs her works in Israel and all over Europe. She won second place in an international dance solo competition in the Canary Islands with her piece “In an Inner Pocket”. For the opening of the 25th anniversary celebrations of “La Maison De La Danse” theatre in Lyon, France, she performed in an evening shared with the Belgian choreographer Wim Wandkaibos. She danced with the Noa Dar Dance Company and in the works of Nimrod Freed. She currently dances and acts in the Orna Porat Theatre.

She took part in various works: “Home”, “Children’s Games”- Noa Dar. “Hole in the Scenery”- Nimrod Freed. “To Separate One”- Shlomit Fondaminski and Hagit Bar. “Stomach”, “To Leave a Key”, “In an Inner Pocket”- Shlomit Fondaminski.

Shlomit received a special scholarship on behalf of the American Israeli Culture Fund and was awarded the Sherat Cultural Award for Dance- The Award for Rising Creators.

Shlomit's website: www.youtube.com/fshlomit

Iris Erez - Ontemporay Dance, Composition

Iris has received training in classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance and African dance. She has a degree in psychology and the arts from Tel Aviv University and Has a diploma in movement therapy from kibbutzim seminar.

The principles of the dance class are according to release technique, a technique which focuses on movement within space through the concept of the skeletal frame as a driving force and making use of the physical laws surrounding us in order to develop strong dynamic movement, gentle and simple with minimum energy. The improvisation classes will deal with the body as a conglomeration of senses, sensations, emotions, and memories, with the possibilities for movement concealed in all these and with the ability to use them as materials for creation.

Iris danced with Anat Danieli’s company, Inbal Pinto, Ronit Ziv, Lara Barsac, and Yasmin Godar.

She took part in the following works: Kisses, October, Luna, Oyster, Rose can't wait, Quiet, What Peace, Sitting Here, Say hello nicely, I Feel Funny Today, Hall, Two playful pink, Strawberry Cream and Gunpowder. The solo “Protection formula” which she created and performed.

Itay Yatuv - Contact Improvisation, Contemporary Dance

Itay has been teaching in The Group in Jaffa since 2003. He studied dance in Dancespace, Broadway Dance Center, and in the Academia isola Danza of the Venice Bianale (artistic directed by Caroline Carlson).

In the contact improvisation classes, movement and dance are expressed based on improvisation and physical contact between the dancers. The technique is characterized by improvisational movement, while being in tune to the physical powers that influence our bodies and the bodies of those who dance with us. The quality is characterized by being in tune, working with weight through the skeletal frame and simple acrobatics while staying in physical contact. In Itay’s contemporary dance classes the focus is on developing technical ability through continuous, correct work, making use of momentum and effective use of the skeletal frame in order to decrease the burden on the muscles. The work develops into an energetic dance while focusing on musical precision.

Itay performed in Italy in the Venice Bianale (2002). He was a founding member of the improvisational company “Bua” (bubble) in 2003-4, under the artistic direction of Ilanit Tadmor.

He took part in the performances: “S.P.E.S.” 2002 choreographed by Sylvia Traversy, “As simple as that” 2003-4, Italy and “Derby” by the “Bua” company. In the year 2005 he created “Saf” for the Intimadance Festival 2005.

Yonatan Grosman - Yoga

Yonatan specialized in various yoga methods in India, among them: Shivananda, Viokananda, and Ainger. He is a graduate of the senior teachers course (3 years) in the Wingate institution, under the instruction of Orit San Gofta, in the Vigenana yoga method.

The yoga classes will be based on the Vigenana yoga method, which is based on the precision of the Ainger method and the flow and energy of the Ashtanga method. There will also be breathing and meditation exercises. The classes can be either quiet and gentle or more dynamic and intensive in accordance with the study plan.

Yonatan has instructed in the “Frana Yoga” studio in Tel Aviv and in the Neve Sha’anan Center for yoga in Jerusalem, in hotel gyms in Jerusalem and in children and teenage schools in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. He teaches in Opus Studio (yoga and dance center) and in additional centers in Jerusalem.

Coralie Ladame - Contemporary Dance

Coralie has a diploma for jazz dance instruction from C.A.F.E. Danse school, France. Community ensemble in Paris. Release Technique workshops with David Zambrano, Evan Woolfe, Fray Faust.

Coralie’s classes focus on opening up the body and our sensations towards it through floor work and use of weight. A dance method which implements comfortable and healthy work with the body while relaxing it and through enjoyable dance combinations.

Coralie took part in projects with various dance companies (dance-theatre, dance, multimedia, theatre) in Switzerland (the musical “DEEP”) and Germany. She is currently dancing in a personal project with another partner.

Works in which she took part: the musical Une reine reste, Be Host Be Guest, Holiday In, DEEP, Corporis, Incident.

Gilat Amotz - Contemporary dance, choreography

Student in ‘Kibbutzim College of Education’ (BA Ed), student at the ‘Visual Theatre School’- Jerusalem, received a Scholarship in the choreography department of the ‘School for New Dance Development’- Amsterdam. Danced since 1997 at Vertigo dance company, Ronit Ziv, David Zambrano, Gabor Goda.

Gilat created as a choreographer pieces for: Curtain Up Festival, International Exposure, Intima Dance Festival and more. Here Some of her works are: Empty Room, Ecclipce, nobody, Aquarium. Gilat won Teva’ fellowship for Dance and the Arts, Received the performance award by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Joshua Rabinovitch Fund. Teaches Contemporary Dance, Ballet and Composition at various High Schools and private studios all around Israel.

Gabrielle Neuhaus – classical ballet, contemporary dance

Graduated from  the Ecole du Ballet Contemporain de Bruxelles  and from  the Central Ballet School  in London. She studied drama at the Bikurey Haitim Centre in Tel Aviv and general linguistics and English literature at Tel Aviv University.
As a dancer she has been a member of the Ballet Contemporain de Bruxelles, Dance and Theatre Corporation - London, Imminent Dancers - London, founding member of Dance Unlimited - London, Objets-Fax - Paris, Cathy Sharp Company – Basle, Ballet Contemporain Suisse – Geneva,  Zurich Tanz Theater.

In Israel, she has been cooperating with artists of different fields - Anat Pick (voice), Anat Michaelis-Levy (visual art) , Anat Zecharya (poetry) on performance art projects, in theatres, galleries, art events and outdoor venues, including:  Silence  1999, Concrete Walls  2002, Recital for One Dancer and 400 Rubber Bands 2003, Sewing Ritual, 2004, Cutting Water, 2004, Sewing Spring, 2006, Right Now I Had a Feeling 2006, Shira , 2007, Whales 2007, Beautiful 2008.
She has created a video art film Right Now I Had a Feeling 2008.
Since 2004 participates as movement teacher and choreographer in peace camps bringing Jewish and Arab Israeli teenagers together with European youth.   
In the ballet classes, exercises at the barre will build progressively, moving the body’s joints and muscles and deepening the coordination needed to execute more complex phrases at the barre and then in the center. Emphasis will be placed on holistic sensation, musicality, alignment and extension with the aim to create a calm, strong body center that enables extremities to move with clarity and freedom. The various ballet steps will be taught in combinations that enhance movement flow and dynamics.

Gabriel's works on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gabrielleneuhaus

yaniv mintzer – Contact Improvisation
Musician, contact dancer and therapist. Graduated Rimon school (2001) and Berklee college of music (B.M. 2004), as well as studies of contact improvisation with various teachers in the USA, Europe and Israel.
composes original music for dance and theater as well as performance with dance projects and improvisational settings.
Worked with artists such as Anat Shamgar, Yasmeen Godder, Danya Elraz, Shlomit Fundaminsky and others. started the Oktet improvisation group. Practices contact improvisation since 2004.
Therapist in the Ilan Lev method and ensemble teacher at the Talma yalin music high school.

www.yanivmintzer.com  ; www.myspace.com/yanivmintzer

Inbal Aloni - Contemporary Dance

Inbal managed the Vertigo dance school for about one year, where she taught modern dance classes. She currently teaches in the Bikurey Ha’Itim school and in The Group in Jaffa.

Inbal teaches her classes on the premise that movement is the experience itself. Technique is the tool by which the language of movement is released and the experience is expressed through this. The classes will be based on the Release technique, floor work, an awareness of the inner and outer space and the development of physical abilities, while giving attention to the personal expression of the participant.

Inbal danced with the Vertigo Dance Company and with Inbal Pinto’s company and took part in international projects which integrated improvisational performances. She performed in festivals all over the world with the various dance companies she danced with and taught many classes and in many workshops. She worked with the Noa Dar dance company, and is currently dancing with Yasmis Godder.

She participated in the following works: “Boobies” and “Oyster”- Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollack, “Sylvia” and “Ester”- Vertigo- Noa Vertheim.

Avigail Rubin - Improvisation & Contemporary Dance

Abigail Rubin was born in Israel and is a plastic arts graduate of the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts. She danced with the Ido Tadmor Dance Company, and holds a BA in Dance from The Theatre School, Amsterdam, majoring in choreography. She is a member of the Israeli Choreographers Association.
She has been working as an independent choreographer since 2004 and her works include "Solo-Default", "In Four Moves", "The Maids", "Private", and "Temporary Stay"; for the theatre: "Natural Sting - Ensemble Ciporella", "The Duchess of Amalfi", at the Haifa Municipal Theatre, "The Story of the Mice", "The Band 2004".
She was awarded the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Prize for young artists in 2004, and has received grants from the Yehoshua Rabinowitz Foundation for the Arts and the Payis Council for Culture and Art.

She has been invited to collaborate with choreographer Irina Müller (Switzerland) in Berlin for the 2008 Tanztage Berlin Dance Festival.
She teaches at the independent school for contemporary dance, 'The Group in Jaffa', and at Studio 'play'. She gives lessons and workshops at high schools for theatre and dance all over Israel.

Previous Works: Beyond Now, Private, The Maids, In 4 Moves, Solo - Default.

Zahava Goldfoot - Ballet

Ex Royal Ballet London, Ballerina - Zahava Goldfoot is a no-nonsense, hands on teacher who passionately wants her students to see, feel and be inspired with a life-long commitment to fitness through movement and dance.
She has danced and taught and choreographed worldwide. She danced with the Royal Ballet over a five year period. Her roles included solos in Swan Lake, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty amongst others.  She danced in musicals in Dublin, Los Angeles and Johannesburg such as West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph (which she also choreographed in Dublin). Danced and choreographed for Abbey Theatre Dublin, John Boorman’s Film “Zardoz” and TV spectaculars for RTE Dublin, and for SABC Johannesburg.
Over the past 30 years Zahava has taught and developed her own teaching style and methods which include producing her own prize winning barefoot video. 
She teaches Pilates both for dancers and remedial therapy on machines and without.
Zahava recently made aliyah and has brought her many years of experience to 'The Group in Jaffa'.

Yochai ginton - contemporary dance, contact improvisation

Yochai finished 2 years of training at the 'Sandsial Center' for dance and circus, and another year in -  'Ga'aton dance workshop' (for professional dancers) and is now completing the course for professional dancers in 'Bicurey haitim', Tel Aviv.

Yochai’s  first taste with dance movement was 10 years ago, doing contact improvisation, a dance he practices and teaches in different places. Trying to learn everything he can, Yochai’s training varies from belly dancing and argentinian tango to acro-balance & classical ballet.

 In Yochai's contact classes we will develop curiosity and awareness to the contact point with the partner, and to the game which is happening between us, as well as giving contra to the point of contact. We will learn awareness to the floor, the space and the dynamic dance. How to dance with minimum effort, joy and challenge at the same time.

In the contemporary dance classes will touch different aspects, from floor work, to body weight, principles of improvisation, principles of ballet and more. We will dance phrases with emphasis on musicality, personal expression and dynamics.

Lotus Etrog - Mat Pilates
A Nissan Nativ studio graduate, Lotus is a founder and an actress of the Tziporela ensemble theatre group,
Lotus is a Mat Pilates teacher, a graduate of “Dror Raz” school, Tel Aviv.
Pilates is a unique practice method, combining mind, body & soul. There is emphasis on correct breathing
Lotus teaches Pilates in several studios inside Tel-Aviv ('Hakvutza Beyafo”, “Beit Tami”, “Noit Studio”), as well as dance-theatre teacher for youth (“bicurey haitim center”).
The lessons combine elements from the Pilates method: breathing, centering, precision, along with elements from Yoga technique, dance improvisation and more.