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.
Artistic Leadership
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.
Company Management
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.
Sharon Cohen
A contemporary dancer, creator, and teacher specializing in release techniques, floor work, and contact improvisation, Cohen incorporates elements from Kyokushin Karate into her dance practice. She has previously worked with Vertigo Dance Company, Dafi Altabeb, and Shlomi Bitton. She joined Kolben Dance Company as a full-time dancer.
Tzvika Hizikias
A dancer, choreographer, and contemporary dance instructor, Hizikias also works as an actor and performer.
Idan Kogan
Originally from Hadera, Israel, Kogan was a former gymnast and competitive swimmer. He began his dance training in high school and later attended the Ga’aton Dance Workshop. After an apprenticeship at Fresco Dance Company, he joined Kolben Dance in August 2023.
Mor Birger Havazelet
Born in 1995 in Ness Ziona, Havazelet holds a B.Ed in Dance and Dance Theater from Seminar Hakibbutzim College and is a certified Pilates instructor. She is a graduate of Vertigo’s Professional Training Program and has been a Kolben Dance Company dancer since 2020.
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.
Joshua Ray Sutton
Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Sutton comes from an American-Jewish family. From a young age, he trained in singing, composition, acting, and dance, competing in ballroom dance competitions with Grüngold Tanzsport Berlin. He studied at Danceworks Berlin, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s MASA program, and later at the American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (AMDA) in New York.
Sutton has been a Kolben Dance Company dancer since August 2023.
Apprentice Dancers
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.
Einat Polit
Born in 2000 and raised in Pisgat Ze’ev, Jerusalem, Polit trained with the Muze Dance Company and studied at the Jerusalem High School for the Arts. She served in the IDF as a technical instructor and later completed the Vertigo Dance Workshop Program. She joined Kolben Dance Company as an apprentice dancer in 2024
Management & Production Team
International Relations Manager: Sonia Zwolska
Company Physiotherapist: Dizik Yevgeny MPT DO
Maintenance & Cleaning Supervisor: Mahmoud Ayani
VP of Relations, Marketing, and 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
CEO: Tzvika Monsongo
Lighting Designer: Uri Morag
Technical Support: Orout Ltd.
Menu" icon by Viktor Vorobyev from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0).
