A Dancing Journey at Kibbutz Summer Intensive: A Life-Changing Experience for a Dancer
by Lucie Le May
It’s that time of the year. Exhausted by cold and grey days and your everyday routine, you can’t help but dive into your summer planning.
For those who are concerned about keeping on training and developing during the summer break, I would suggest joining Kibbutz Summer Intensive. For the others who, like me, aren’t really into summer workshops and would rather go and refresh their minds in a beautiful corner of the world, I would still recommend it. Eclectic and international, Kibbutz Summer Intensive takes place in Kibbutz Ga’aton, Israel. It is a very unique place, full of history, which I think would be worth visiting for every dancer and dance student. More than training, the Kibbutz Summer Intensive offers a special journey about dance.
On the front page of their website, you can read in capital letters, “WE ARE KIBBUTZ*¹”. Looking back at the company’s rich history, you will soon learn that they really are “kibbutz”. Founded by Yehudit Arnon in 1973, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (KCDC) has been led by Artistic Director Rami Be’er since 1996. Arnon, who survived the Auschwitz death camp, later on moved to Israel where she was among the first group of pioneers who established Kibbutz Ga’aton. Shortly after, she created a Dance Section to introduce kibbutzim around the country to different types of dance.
In some ways, the development of Kibbutz Ga’aton was closely linked to dancing and vice versa. The strong history of that place turned into a dynamic company, with technically strong dancers touring across the world. The aesthetics of the company is synonymous with the work of its world-renowned Artistic Director Rami Be’er, a native of Kibbutz Ga’aton.
«He always manages to highlight the dark hiding behind sublime beauty with lyrical moments and powerful group composition structures.».
Yoni Avital, International Director of Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company.
All KCDC dancers have a home in Ga’aton which is widely known as The International Dance Village. That’s also where the Summer Intensive is hosted.
According to Yoni Avital, it is “a Kibbutz inside a Kibbutz”. Indeed the Dance Village was designed to welcome a strong community built around dance. It really is an utopia for dancers : It comprises ten dance studios, a theater, accomodation, a restaurant and cafe, an outdoor swimming pool, and on top of that it is surrounded by beautiful nature.
About a hundred dancers live there all year round; comprising the dancers from the main and second company, the attendees of the annual Summer Intensive and of the 5 and 10-month Dance Journey study abroad program. One of the latest participants of their dance programs is Mado Dallery who took part in the Dance Journey program. When asked what it is like to live in a Kibbutz, she answers: “The concept of the Kibbutz evolved through the years. Today, the kibbutz’s residents are much more independent…The old dining room, where everyone used to share meals, was converted into our big dance studio. A community feeling remains as you live together with other dancers. And some gatherings are not to be missed: Every Friday, that’s the hummus day at the cafe and it’s crowded… I make sure I don’t miss it when I go back there! “
The specificity and richness of this environment keeps on attracting acclaimed choreographers and pedagogues. This is an inspirational place, which provide an “inclusive, nurturing, and supportive environment” according to Avital. “It opens to year-round visitors whether they are dancers themselves or dance enthusiasts. The Kibbutz Summer Intensive offers the perfect opportunity to dance and train alongside the company’s dancers, some of the best dance teachers, ballet masters and choreographers, all of that while living in the International Dance Village.”
Besides a wide range of dance classes, various cultural and social activities are planned. It’s about having the right balance to create a family feeling among all the participants. It actually seems like there is a great focus on making the International Dance Village a home for every of its guest.
« The day begins with a nutritious Mediterranean breakfast together with all the Summer Intensive participants at our cafeteria and social hall. It’s quite a special experience, to wake up to a Galilean summer morning at such a Dance Village (…) ».
Yoni Avital
After such a positive start, the day continues with a ballet class followed by another morning class and two additional classes after lunch, which include company repertoire, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, gaga and/or improvisation. According to Yoni, “The focal point of it all is movement, education, and providing dancers from all over the world with a space and place to create an international dance community unlike any other in the world.”
Another valuable dimension of this Summer Intensive is that it happens to be taking place while the main company is working. It is a great chance for the participants to work next door to professional dancers, attend their rehearsals and performances. The students also have the opportunity to leave the Dance Village and go get a taste of Israeli culture. They can relax on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea Beach near the Village and explore historic landmarks.
You actually have the possibility to design your own Kibbutz Summer Intensive: You can decide of the length of your program*2 and activities you want to take part of.
It’s all about the experience. Students come from all over the world with very different dance backgrounds. Each of them should be able to find what he or she is looking for and develop with it throughout the program.
It truly is a blend of experiences at Kibbutz Summer Intensive: It is a meeting point for different people of different backgrounds.
“Not only is it an amazing dance training, but also a life-changing experience.”
Mado Dallery
Cultural immersion is a big part of that place, and sharing ideas was one of its original missions. By coming to the International Dance Village, by just being there, you make it grow.
Kibbutz Summer Intensive is taking place from July 8 to August 16. To learn more and enroll, visit: www.kcdc.co.il/en/summer-intensive-dance-program
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*1 A “Kibbutz” is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, there are over 270 kibbutzim in Israel and they have diversified greatly since their cultural beginnings. The kibbutz offers a unique insight into Israeli society.
*2 Two, four or six weeks program
World traveller, deep thinker, writer. Interested in philosophy and social sciences.