Our Teachers - Kochavim Israeli Dance Camp

Our teachers

Ken Avner - David Dassa - Roberto Haddon - Edo Israely - Mitch Ginsburgh - Alana Grunspan

Ken Avner
started dancing in 1975 at the insistence of his sister and hasn't stopped since. Today he is involved in every aspect of Israeli dance: teaching at weekly sessions, teaching workshops, producing sound for dance performances, directing and performing with dance troupes in the US and Israel. He was also a recent visitor to Houston, where he conducted an Israeli dance workshop at the JCC. Along the way Ken got his B.S. Ed. in dance from Georgia State University. Ken's enthusiasm and love of dance, as well as skills as dancer, teacher, performer, and "markid" have brought to him the highest compliment possible, that he makes dancing more fun for everyone.
David Dassa
is the son of famed Israeli dance choreographer Dani Dassa (called "The Father of Israeli Folk Dancing in the United States"). David, from his earliest childhood, danced at "Cafe Danssa" in West Los Angeles, California—a folk dance coffee house created by Dani. David is a superb teacher of Israeli folk dance in his own right and is the director of camp "Rikud," which Dani founded, and which is held every year in California over the Memorial Day Weekend. David and his wife, Beth, make their home in the Los Angeles, California, area.
Roberto Haddon
hails from England where he is a well respected and loved markid. He is also the choreographer of Enigma and Shkarim. We're delighted that Roberto is traveling such a large distance to join our staff at Kochavim.
Edo Israely
grew up in Los Angeles, California, where he started dancing at the young age of 4. He learned Israeli dancing from LA-area teachers David Katz, Natalie Stern, Edy Greenblatt, and David Dassa. While at Milken Community High School, Edo began an Israeli folkdance program, which is currently still active under the directorship of David Dassa. Soon after, he earned the privilege of teaching at David's weekly sessions as well. In college at UC Berkeley, Edo taught Israeli dance classes on campus and found another mentor in Loui Tucker at her Bay Area sessions. Back in LA, he opened a once-a-month dance party with Orly Setareh. In 2006, Edo brought his talents to the East coast, where he is currently pursuing a doctorate in molecular biology, and dancing at many NYC area sessions. Edo started choreographing in high school, and continues today, with such dances as Debka Kochav, HaShoter Azulay, and HaDerech Habaita, among others.
Mitch Ginsburgh
Mitch started dancing at the Chicago session led by Penny Brichta and Phil Moss. Four years later, he started teaching at the same session where he had been a beginner. Mitch has led a beginners' session at DePaul University as well as camp dancing for BBYO. Now he lives in New Jersey, where he gets to dance and teach throughout the Philadelphia area. Mitch can't wait to share his love of Israeli dancing with everyone at Kochavim!
Alana Grunspan
The Israeli dance community has watched Alana grow up in their midst. She attended her first workshop at the age of 7 and hasn't stopped since. In addition to being a certified dance teacher, she has been a member of NYC's Parparim Israeli dance troupe and danced in the second place dance at the 2004 Karmiel Dance festival in Israel.