הלהקה - EN - Kolben Dance

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Kolben Dance Company: A Dialogue Between Bold Creation and Human Experience

Founded and artistically directed by Amir Kolben, Kolben Dance Company stands as a prominent force in the Israeli contemporary dance scene. The company is known for its distinct choreographic language, which merges artistic daring with emotional and social depth, offering audiences an experience that invites them to connect, reflect, and feel deeply.

Over the past three decades, Kolben Dance’s works have been performed in Israel and internationally, gaining recognition for their fusion of artistic innovation with human values. The company continues to make a lasting impact both locally and globally.

Beyond its artistic endeavors, Kolben Dance is committed to fostering the next generation of dancers through dance schools, adult and youth companies, and community-based projects. For the company, dance is not just a form of artistic expression—it is a powerful tool for connecting body and mind, people, and communities across diverse backgrounds and ages.

Jerusalem, a city rich with inspiration and cultural dialogue, is at the heart of Kolben Dance’s work. From its vibrant core, the company invites you to experience dance that moves, challenges, and tells the story of life through movement.

Prof. Amir Kolben

Founder and Artistic Director of Kolben Dance, Amir Kolben is a leading figure in contemporary dance in Israel.

A former Batsheva Dance Company member, a Professor Emeritus, and recipient of the 2024 Arik Einstein Prize, Kolben’s creations take audiences on an intellectual and emotional journey unlike any other.

Noa Shavit

Company Manager and Rehearsal Director at Kolben Dance. A graduate of the Ga’aton Dance Workshop, she has danced and collaborated with leading choreographers such as Anat Grigorio, Emanuel Gat, Noa Dar, and Nimrod Freed. She has managed rehearsals for various choreographers and joined Kolben Dance as Rehearsal Director and Company Manager in 2021.

She has also taught at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA) in the Faculty of Dance, Music, and Theater. She is a recipient of the Dudu Dotan Award for Performing Dancers and has presented solo works at the Tmuna Festival and Dock 11 in Germany.

Dancers

Sonia Zwolska

Born in 1993 in Poznań, Poland, Zwolska holds a BFA in Dance from Codarts, Rotterdam. She has performed with Poetic Disasters Club, Tryater, and co-founded Teddy’s Last Ride, performing across Europe. Over her career, she has collaborated with choreographers such as Guy Weizman, Jan Martens, and Felix Landerer.

She is the recipient of the ITS Norma Award (Netherlands) and has been a Kolben Dance Company dancer since 2019. Since 2023, she has also served as Amir Kolben’s artistic assistant and head of international relations.

Tzvika Hizikias

A dancer, choreographer, and contemporary dance instructor, Hizikias also works as an actor and performer.

Chen Betzalel

Born in 2001 in Herzliya, Betzalel studied at Lea Manor School of Dance and majored in dance at Yuval High School, completing her matriculation with 10 units in dance. She is a graduate of Vertigo’s Professional Training Program and has received excellence awards from the Ministry of Education and the London Academy of Dance.

Currently, she is an apprentice dancer with Kolben Dance Company.

Noa Benjamin

Born in 2001 in Hadera, Benjamin began dancing at Studio Zooza and completed her high school dance studies with 10 matriculation units in dance. She trained at Batsheva’s Excellence Program and HASADNA, studying under Yaara Moses and Ori Karol. A graduate of Vertigo Dance Workshop, she also danced with Carmela Dance Group before joining Kolben Dance Company in 2024.

Charlie Morton

Born in 2000 in Melbourne, Australia, Morton is a graduate of Victorian College of the Arts and later trained at Queensland Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program. He has performed solo and ensemble roles with Victoria State Ballet and danced a season with Kamea Dance Company before joining Kolben Dance for the 2024–2025 season.

Carlos Camelo

Born in 2000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, began his training in acting, dance, and singing at the age of 13. He is a graduate of The Maslool – School of Contemporary Dance in Tel Aviv (2022–2024), under the artistic direction of Niv Marinberg and Ofir Dagan.

During his training, he performed works by renowned choreographers including Sharon Eyal, Mats Ek, Amanda K. Miller, Roy Assaf, Eyal Dadon, Dor Mamalia, Michael Getman, and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano. He also participated in creative processes with Roni Chadash, Talia Beck, and David Kern, inspired by the language of William Forsythe.

In 2024, he appeared as a guest dancer in Anaphaza by the Batsheva Dance Company.

Viola Gasparotti

A dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Originally from Italy, she is a graduate of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where she earned her degree in performance and dance education, and holds a diploma in choreography and performance from the Paolo Grassi Academy in Milan.

She began her professional career with the Kaiser Antonino Dance Ensemble, performing in Europe and Israel and gaining early international stage experience that laid the foundation for her development as both a performer and creator. Since then, she has performed extensively, taking part in productions, independent projects, and international collaborations. She danced for several years with the Jerusalem Dance Theater Company, performing and teaching as part of the company, and today is a member of Kolben Dance Company. Her stage work includes collaborations with choreographers such as Neta Pulvermacher and Ronen Izhaki.

In addition to her work as a performer, Gasparotti is active as a choreographer. Her creations have been presented in Israel and abroad, and she continues to develop her choreographic voice through collaborations with other artists and through independent projects, contributing new perspectives to the contemporary dance scene.

Alongside her performing career, Gasparotti is dedicated to the training of professional dancers as well as children and young dancers.

Apprentice Dancers

Zoe Shahaf Har-Lev Hefetz

Born in 2005. Began dancing at the age of 16 in the dance track at Ben Zvi High School in Kiryat Ono, graduating with a full 10-unit specialization in dance. Graduate of the Batsheva “Greenhouse” Program and the Vertigo Dance Company’s professional dancer training workshop.

Elizabeth Dormidoshina

Born in 2005 in Moscow, Russia. Began dancing at the age of five. Immigrated to Israel in 2022.

Graduate of Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts, the “Greenhouse” Program at Batsheva, and the Sadna Professional Dance Program at Kibbutz Ga’aton (scholarship).

Participated in a solo project by Oded Graf at Tmuna Theatre and performed works by Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, Sharon Eyal, Rami Be’er, Andrea Costanzo Martini, among others.

Laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists in Modern Choreography and winner of the Moscow Championship in the modern dance category with own solo creation.

Management & Production Team

International Relations Manager: Sonia Zwolska
Company Physiotherapist: Dizik Yevgeny MPT DO
Maintenance & Cleaning Supervisor: Mahmoud Ayani

VP of Communications, Marketing & Content: Dona Vinocur
Sales: Dalia Yehudai
Public Relations: Hila Kalphon
Graphic Design: Shani Ben Haim
Digital Content Production Coordinator: Einat Polit
Videography: Raphael Natan
Photography: Ziv Barak, Gil Rubinstein, Yadin Miller, Efrat Mazor, David Rawlings Natalia Shchans

CEO: Tzvika Monsongo

Deputy Director and Head of the School of Dance: Adi Gordon Rawlings
Lighting Designer: Uri Morag
Technical Support: Orout Ltd.

Menu" icon by Viktor Vorobyev from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0).