The connection between folk dance troupes and the general public is a mutually enriching asset.
This section aims to renew and deepen this connection. Each issue will focus on a different dance company.

Holit Dance Center – A Network of Dance Schools in Southern Israel

Supervisory Bodies:

Be’er Sheva Municipality, Eshkol Regional Council, Ramat Ha’Negev Regional Council, and the Kohl Movement and Dance Association.

Artistic Director and Choreographer: Liran Michaeli

Liran Michaeli is married to Batel Michaeli and resides in Be’er Sheva with their children: Omer (10), Gaya (9), Itay (7), and Mika (3).

• Holds a B.A. in Dance from The Kibbutzim College.
• Chairperson of the Dance Creators’ Award Committee at the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
• Choreographer for “Kamea” Dance Company.
• Dramaturgy work for the Czech National Ballet in Prague for Eyal Dadon’s creation.
• Artistic Director and founder of the Smilansky Dance Arena, Smilansky Cultural Festival, and the International Fringe Festival.
• Dance entrepreneur and director of the Ashdodance Festival’s amphitheater performances (2016-2024).

Director of the Youth Division and Junior Representative Dance Troupes: Batel Michaeli

• Holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Early Childhood Education from Kaye College.
• Creator and researcher in early childhood dance education.
• Graduate of the Folk Dance Instructor Training Studio.
• Senior early childhood educator with unique programs to promote dance from early childhood to elementary school.
• Creator in the fields of Israeli, modern, and compositional dance.
• Choreography Awards:
  • 2022 – U-Talent Dance Competition, Tel Aviv – 1st Place.
  • 2022 – U-Talent Dance Competition, Tel Aviv – 2nd Place.
  • 2024 – Rising Star Dance Competition – Grand Prix Winner (all categories).

Director of the Senior Division and Senior Representative Dance Troupes: Navit Azulay

• Holds a B.A. in Physical Education.
• Graduate of Holit Dance Center and an active dancer in the professional dance scene.
• Graduate of the “Mehola” Teacher Training Program in collaboration with Wingate College.
• Instructor of modern dance, creator in contemporary dance, lyrical dance, and modern Israeli dance.
• Choreography Awards:
  • 2012 – Eurograde Festival, Sofia, Bulgaria – 1st Place Duet.
  • 2015 – Swiss Keren Hayesod Encouragement Award for Creative Work.
  • 2023 – Raising Star Dance Competition – 1st Place (Group Category).
  • 2025 – U-Talent Solo Dance Competition – 1st Place Solo Work.

Key Achievements and Performances

National Festivals

• 2015 – Karmiel Festival – 2nd Place in Contemporary Dance Competition (Jazz) for “Rock Opera”.
• 2015 – “Orot HaMachol” Festival in Dimona – 1st Place for “Debka to Omer”.
• 2016 – Karmiel Festival: 2nd Place for “Half the Glass”.
• 2016 – Karmiel Festival: 3rd Place for “Prayer to the Cypress”.
• 2016 – Karmiel Festival: 3rd Place in Contemporary Dance Competition for “Red Lines”.
• 2018 – Ashdod Festival: 1st Place in Choreography Competition for Folk Dance – “Hora Shoham”.
• 2019 – Ashdodance Festival: 1st Place in Choreography for “Tashlich”.
• 2019 – Ashdodance Festival: 1st Place in Folk Dance Competition – “Hora Gaya”.
• 2020 – Karmiel Festival: 2nd Place in Stage Choreography for “From Georgia to Israel”.
• 2022 – Karmiel Festival: 2nd Place in Stage Choreography for “Return Home”.
• 2023 – Karmiel Festival: Audience Favorite Award for “You Came to Me Suddenly”.

International Festivals

Eurograde Festival, Bulgaria 2012:

• 1st Place – Solo, “Dadon”.
• 3rd Place – Duet, “Alice”.
• 1st Place – Group Folklore, “Half the Glass”.
• 3rd Place – Solo, “A Leaf Carried by the Wind”.
• 1st Place – “From Israel with Love”.
• 2nd Place – Overall Festival Ranking.

Budapest, Hungary 2010 – Europe Dance Festival:

• 3rd Place – Folk Dance, “Hora Mamtera”.
• 1st Place – Duet, “Alice in Wonderland”.
• 3rd Place – Overall Festival Ranking.

Major Productions and Performances

The dance company has participated in large-scale productions, including:

• Performances with top Israeli artists (Omer Adam, Moshe Peretz, Rotem Cohen, Noa Kirel, etc.).
• 2009 – Central Independence Day Ceremony on Mount Herzl, choreographed by Shlomo Maman.

International Representation

The company has represented Israel in international dance festivals, securing top three positions:

• Spain Dance – 2009.
• Budapest, Hungary – 2010.
• Eurograde, Bulgaria – 2012.
• Berlin Dance Congress – 2013.

Original Productions

Since 2007, the company has produced one original production annually, premiered at the representative troupes’ showcase.

• Choreographers’ Evenings – Composition nights where dancers create, conceptualize, design sets, lighting, and produce a new 5-minute work, showcased in a full 65-minute performance.

Representative Dance Troupes

• “Nitzanim” (Grades 3-4) – 32 dancers.
• “Alumim” (Grades 5-6) – 32 dancers.
• “Atuda” (Grade 7) – 28 dancers.
• “Chativa” (Grades 8-9) – 28 dancers.
• “Neurim” (Grades 10-12) – 28 dancers.
• “Bogeret” (Ages 18+) – 24 dancers.

Dance School Programs

Preparatory Groups – Early Childhood

• “Class” Levels 1-8: Classical ballet, modern, repertoire, composition, improvisation, contemporary dance, and folklore.
• “Academy A” (Grades 5-8, based on auditions).
• “Academy B” (Grades 2-4, based on auditions).

Holit Dance Community

Open Dance Classes – A schedule featuring guest choreographers, diverse styles, and conceptual events from beginner to advanced levels (ages 18+).

Street Dance Program (Hip-Hop)

• “Juniors” – Grades 2-4.
• “H1” – Grades 5-6.
• “H2” – Grade 7.
• “H3” – Grades 8-12.

Contact Information

Phone: 054-6880551, 050-9655764

Facebook: Holit Dance Company

Instagram: @holitdancecompany