Camp | Machol Hungaria

Hila Mukdasi

I'm 29 years old, was born and raised in Jerusalem, graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (B.A. of Sociology-Anthropology and Linguistics).
I have been practicing the craft of folk dancing for 20 years. At the age of 16, with the encouragement and strong belief of many teachers, I graduated the course of dance instructors by Wingate institute. Ever since, I am teaching folk dancing in Israel and around the world in anything between intimate dancing workshops to festive events, such as “Camp Bitnua”, the biggest Israeli folk dancing Festival where I am in charge of the international dancers.

I believe that Israeli folk dancing is a unique phenomena that passionately brings souls, cultures and wonder into the same space.
Therefore, I am running an innovative venture called KOMUNA – An Israeli dancing session for young dancers only, something no one has attempted to do before in Israel. Our goal is to motivate young dancers to join this magical world and build the next generation while creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. Israeli folk dancing is for everyone, young people included!
One of my biggest achievements through my activities during 2018 is winning of "The Discovery of the Year" prize, as an official recognition in the presence of the Ministry of Culture and Sport of my precious and significant contribution for preserving the Israeli folk dancing.

Ilai Szpiezak

Ilai Szpiezak is an award winning Creative Producer, Choreographer and Master of Ceremonies, who has performed to audiences all over the world. He is the Founder and Director of Upstage Creative, a production house and events company based in London (www.upstagecreative.co.uk)

A former Professional Ballet Dancer and inspired by his Latin American and Israeli heritage with boundless energy and imagination, Ilai brings his passion for performance, music and live entertainment to everything he does with over 15 years experience in the entertainment industry.

He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and at the age of one, his family made Alia to Israel where they lived for fve years. He returned to Argentina where he lived until the age of 20, moving to the UK to continue his professional and creative career.

He graduated from Te Royal Central School of Speech & Drama with a Master Degree in Creative Producing in 2014 and since then has produced more than 250 events including sell-out productions, circus shows, musical theatre, private events and concerts.

He was inspired by his father, Leo Szpiezak (a former markid in South America and Israel and assistant to Motti Alfasi) to become a teacher of Rikudei-Am. Ilai has a diploma with honours from the Ulpan of Rikudei-Am in Argentina and has been teaching and choreographing since the age of 17.

He remains in demand internationally as a dance choreographer and Markid working in more than 15 countries in Europe and North America teaching Rikudei-Am and creating new dances for workshops and festivals. Some countries include: Argentina, Brasil, Uruguay, USA (Machol Miami, Gvanim and others), Europe (Machol Europa, Machol Aviv, Finland, Machol Czechia, Machol Brno, Inbal Festival), Israel and more.

He has choreographed more than 70 dances as well as numerous stage choreographies which are performed in several countries around the world.

He is one of the top Choreographers & Markidim of the “new generation of the 21st Century” with dances including Beresheet (1st place in the Mitza'ad Karmiel Festival 2019), Medabrim Be'sheket (2nd place in the competition of new dances in Karmiel Festival 2019), Yom Hashishi, Gaaguay, Lo Mevater Al Hachalom, Bo Lo Nevater, Am Israel Chai, Le Le, Nigun Alma and many more...

His high energy and precise teaching will keep you on the dance foor all night long!

Michael Baerzelai

I'm 30 years old, and been dancing since I was 8.
I have been teaching dancing for about 8 years, and 4 years ago started creating dances.
My first camp ever was as a teacher, at Gvanim, where I taught my dance "La Trompeta".
Since then I've got the opportunity to teach my dances all over the world and in Israel.
My world wide break dance was Achshav Ani Chozer, and since then created more such as Normali, Aneni, Mishehu Iti Kan, Bechayay and more.
I create and teach dances because I love it, but my actual every day work is electronic engineering

Tamir Scherzer

Tamir Scherzer has been on the dancefloor for over 30 years. He danced in multiple dancing groups such as Mehola, Avivim, TLV university, Haifa municipal. Now he is an Israeli folk dance instructor and choreographer in Israel central area. Specializes in teaching of new beginners, and special advanced dances. Also, a software developer, developing mobile/web applications and data systems.

Yaron Elfasy

Yaron Elfasy is a very dynamic choreographer and a wonderful teacher - in the past few summers he has been teaching thousands of kids at Szarvas Int'l Jewish Youth Camp to the basics of Israeli folk dancing and the newest hits of circle and line dances. He will also be in charge of the Course Markidim Europe, of which Machol Hungaria is the official partner. Course participants will also have the chance to take their practice and exams during camp Machol Hungaria 2020. The Israeli Folk Dance Instructor Course Europe will be accredited by the Tel Aviv University Course using the same methodology and materials as at the course held in Israel. The diploma of the course will be accepted by ארגון המרקידים - Association Of Folk Dancing.

Yuval Tabashi

Yuval Tabashi was born in 1986 in Pardes Hanna, Israel. He began his dance career with the dance troupe of the school, after he fell in love with one of the girls in the troupe. There Yuval discovered his love for dance, music and stage, and he decided To include dance in his path in life.
At age 15, Yuval began to create dances for the stage and became a leader of dance troupes of children and youth. He later danced in dance troupes of the choreographers Shlomo Maman, Yonatan Carmon and Maayan Itzhaki. He constantly appeared in numerous performances and festivals in Israel and abroad.
He did his military service as a combat medic in the artillery corps. After completing his military service, he studied and graduated with honors from the dance department (Choreography and Israeli dance) of the “Jerusalem academy of music and dance. Between the years 2009-2011, he was artistic director of the “Israeli dance institute” in London and choreographer for the dance company of the Jewish community of England - “The Oranim Dance Troupe”.
Between the years 2013-2016, he was an assistant to the choreographer Shlomo Maman, from whom he learned a great deal about professional work with dance companies, production of performances and the creation of folk dances.
In 2019 his dance “Libi” won the best dance award in the “Israeli dance awards ceremony” in Carmiel Festival.
Yuval works with dance companies in Israel and abroad, produces shows and also teaches and creates folk dances in many seminars around Israel and abroad.
His outstanding dances: Hamalach Ha’goel Oti, Libi, Ha’yechida, Fuga Ktana and others.

Gabo Mirkin

I’m 36 years old and I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and made Aliyah to Israel 2 years ago.
I started dancing Israeli folk dance when I was 23 years old while I was searching a way to connect my Jewish heritage to my passion of dancing that started long time ago, at the age of 13 with Hip-Hop dancing and Reggaeton.
During my twenties I was a director of the 2 Israelis folklore dance squad in Buenos Aires called- “Guilboa” and “Keff” for 5 years in parallel to preforming my passion of teaching Israeli folk dance at different Harkadot in the city.
Since then I have been working as a choreographer, dancer, teacher and as a mentor for different dances such as Hip Hop, Street dance, Salsa and Zumba with one clear goal- to preserve the Israelí Folcklore Dances.
How you asked? Mixing and innovating different aspect of dance that will bring new air to the classic, basic foundation of our folklore.
I believe that the future of our Folcklore depends on all of us, inviting new people to the dance floor, making "Rikudei Am" more attractive, more energetic and more fun for everybody- kids and adults!
Together we will create a future for our culture...