The “Karmei Machol” Lehakot (Dance Companies) are the representative dance companies of the city of Karmiel. The companies operate within the framework of an elite dance school and are artistically and professionally directed by Doron Gueta.

Sponsors: Karmiel Culture and Sports Center and Givat Ram Community Center, Karmiel Municipality and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Artistic Director and Choreographer: Doron Gueta

Doron is a director and choreographer in the field of folk dance for the stage, modern and contemporary dance and dance-theater. As a child, he danced in the “Karmei Machol” Lehakot under the artistic direction of Dado Kraus and later danced with Shlomo Maman, winner of the Israel Prize for Dance. At Kibbutz Ga’aton, he then studied in a workshop for training professional dancers at the [International] Dance Village founded by the late Yehudit Arnon z”l, winner of the Israel Prize for Dance. Subsequently he danced in Lehakat HaMachol HaKibbutzit HaTze’ira (The Young Kibbutz Dance Company) under the artistic direction of Rami Be’er.

He initiated the establishment of the dance major in Karmiel, which operates within the framework of the lehakot. In addition, he serves as a national examiner for practical matriculation exams in dance. He is a member of the professional committee in the field of dance at the Ministry of Education and co-wrote the first curriculum written in the field of folk dance for the stage for middle schools. His academic studies include a Bachelor’s degree in education and dance instruction at the Kibbutzim College and a Master’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Arts Program at Tel Aviv University. In recent years, he has directed various performances at the Karmiel Dance Festival and the Ashdodance Dance Festival, choreographed the play “Melech HaKlavim – King of the Dogs”, directed by Yaron Ruach at the Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio, and choreographed for urban musicals throughout the country.

“Karmei Machol” Karmiel

Director of the “Karmei Machol” Karmiel Dance School and Lehakot: Mali Dahan

Mali is an educator and community worker. In the past, she worked as an instructor for at-risk youth and chaperoned groups with the purpose of integrating them into the community. She currently serves as the director of the “Karmei Machol” Dance School and Lehakot, producing and managing all of the dance ensembles’ events with an emphasis on professional work alongside ethical and educational work and contributing to the community. She is the mother of 12-year-old Adi and 10-year-old Itai.

Choreographer and Coordinator of the Junior Division – Yahav Ohayon

Yahav holds a dance instruction certificate from the “Levinsky Wingate Academic Center”. She danced and grew up in the “Synopsis” dance companies in Tiberias and is a graduate of the dance department in Tiberias. She currently serves as a choreographer and coordinator of the Junior Division (1^st – 6^th grades). She choreographs in the field of Israeli dance and combines diverse styles that create a unique and fascinating movement language. She also teaches modern dance and techniques to improve the dancers’ skills.

Lehakot Staff:

Classical Ballet Teacher – Iris Ofek

Modern Dance Teacher – Michal Lubin

Composition Teacher – Diti Tor

Co-Coordinator of the Dance Department and Classical Teacher – Hadar Ben Meir
Producer and Rehearsal Director – Linoi Dahan

About the Lehakot

The “Karmei Machol” lehakot currently have about 150 male and female dancers divided into groups according to age. The lehakot are based at the Givat Ram Community Center, where they dance four days a week, and are overseen by the Karmiel Culture and Sports Centers Network, managed by Ms. Iris Tsin. The “Karmei Machol” lehakot represent the city of Karmiel and take part in events in municipal, national and international spheres – in festivals, competitions and various events.

The repertoire of the lehakot is diverse and includes unique works suitable for every occasion and every theme. The works combine unique musical arrangements, colorful and spectacular costumes and stage props, creating an unforgettable cultural experience for the viewer.

The lehakot have a cohesive movement language, combining past and present, old and new, tradition and modern advancements. The themes of the dances parallel the breadth of the movement language while engaging with Israeli, Jewish and universal narratives. As part of the activities of the lehakot and in cooperation with the municipal schools and the Karmiel Education Department, dance majors for matriculation work to perfect and expand the knowledge of the dancers.

The “Karmei Machol” lehakot were established in 1981 under the leadership of choreographer Daphne Brill. Since the early 1990s, the lehaka in Karmiel has been artistically directed by choreographer and creator Dado Kraus. Since 2015, Doron Gueta has served as the lehaka’s artistic director.

Every year, the lehakot participate in the Karmiel Dance Festival, the Ashdodance Dance Festival, and the Camp Bitnua Festival in Eilat. During these events, they collaborated with top-notch artists; Danny Sanderson, Sarit Hadad, Idan Raichel, Marina Maximilian, Roni Daloomi, Orna Datz, Elai Botner Ve’Yaldei HaChutz (Elai Botner and The Outside Kids), Narkis, Ariel Zilber, and others.

You can view the lehaka’s dances on YouTube and on the Instagram page: Karmiel Dance Company.

Achievements and Awards

In Israel:

• 2016 – Costume Award for the piece “Kalaniot – Anemones”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” in the Eyal Ben Yehoshua Israeli Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival
• 2016 – Third place for the piece “Pulchan Geshem – Rain Ritual”, performed by “Karmei Machol” in the Leah Porat Gur National Competition
• 2017 – Third place for the piece “HaMalachim Ba’im – The Sailors Are Coming”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” in the Eyal Ben Yehoshua Israeli Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival
• 2018 – Second place for the piece “Tumbalalaika”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” in the Eyal Ben Yehoshua Israeli Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival
• 2019 – Third place for the piece “At Telchi BaSadeh – You Will Walk in the Field”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” in the Dance Competition Contemporary at the Karmiel Dance Festival
• 2019 – Costume Award, Audience Favorite Performance and Second Place for the piece “HaNigun – The Melody”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” at the Eyal Ben Yehoshua Israeli Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival
• 2020 – First Place for the piece “Po Ze Lo Europa – Here is Not Europe”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” at the Contemporary Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival ONLINE
• 2020 – First Place for the piece “HaNigun – The Melody”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” at the Contemporary Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival ONLINE
• 2022 – Third Place for the piece “HaNigun – The Melody”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” at the Leah Porat Gur National Dance Competition
• 2022 – Audience Favorite Award for the piece “She’eriyot Shel HaChayim – Remnants of Life”, performed by “Karmei Machol” and “Synopsis” in the Eyal Ben Yehoshua Israeli Dance Competition at the Karmiel Dance Festival

Internationally:

• 2018 – Third place for the work “Mechorati – My Homeland”, performed by “Karmei Machol” at the International Competition at the Mask Dance Festival – Andong, Korea.
• 2018 – Second place for the work “Rahmana – Merciful”, performed by “Karmei Machol” at the International Competition at the Mask Dance Festival – Andong, Korea.
• 2019 – Second place for the work “At Telchi BaSadeh – You Will Walk in the Field”, performed by “Karmei Machol” at the International Competition at the Mask Dance Festival – Andong, Korea.
• 2019 – Third place for the work “Arba’at HaYesodot – The Four Elements”, performed by “Karmei Machol” at the International Competition at the Mask Dance Festival – Andong, Korea.

Original Productions – Lehakot Performances

• 2015 – “Kufsat Tzeva’im – Box of Colors”
• 2016 – “Hitchadshut – Renewal”
• 2017 – “El HaMekorot – To the Sources”, “Tsiporei Layla Rokdot – Night Birds Dancing”
• 2018 – “Proyect 70 – Project 70”, “Kulam Rokdim Achshav – Everybody Is Dancing Now”
• 2019 – “Holech Le’Ibud – In the Process”, “Haleluyah – Halleluyah”
• 2021 – “Totzeret Bayit – Homemade”
• 2022 – “Radio Chazak – Radio Strong”, “Arba’at HaYesodot – The Four Elements”
• 2023 – “Giborei Tarbut – Heroes of Culture”, “Minheret HaZman – The Time Tunnel”
• 2024 – “Broadway Pinat Karmiel – Broadway Corner of Karmiel”, “Yeshna Ahava – There Is Love”
• 2025 – “Me’achorei HaMisparim – Behind the Numbers”, “Ima Sheli – My Mother”, “Nekudat Gisha – Access Point”

In addition, each year there is an evening of personal works, where male and female dancers are given a stage to create dances.

Festivals and missions around the world:

• 2017 – Metz, France
• 2018 – Andong, South Korea, Mask Festival
• 2019 – Sao Paulo, Brazil, “Carmel” Festival
• 2019 – Andong, South Korea, Mask Festival
• 2025 – Rhode Island, USA