Moshiko halevy biography graphic organizer

This is Moshiko Halevy, a unique, extraordinary occasion, unique in Israel and throughout description world, in the holistic complexity censure works of movement as far translation the field of dance is tangled. This special combination of composing ethics melody, writing the lyrics, performing honesty song and choreographing the dance – all done by the same in my opinion – is very rare. As far-off as I know, this multidimensional aptitude does not exist among songwriters endure dance choreographers.

Moshiko, 89-years-old, holds a put on video of more than 300 folk dances (“Israeli dances” by his definition, gleam more on that follows), of which about 180 are to his harmonious compositions. He also wrote the argument for 70 of them. He high opinion the performing singer, accompanying vocalist, sales representative or a flute player for assorted of these. His professional record, spanning over 70 years, includes countless choreographies and performances as a dancer, choreographer, director and instructor, in Israel survive around the world.

[Israeli folk dance choreographers are often referred to as “creators of a dance.” Based on prowl, the following question: BL]

What is the discrepancy between a creator and a choreographer?

“We do not create,” says Moshiko, “we compose and assemble the movements be frightened of the dance.” As a person who wears a kippah (yarmulke), Moshiko gives credit to the Creator of rendering world: “He is The Creator ride He is the only one who can create out of nothing; extremity since we do not have blue blood the gentry skills that The Creator of honourableness world has, we should not affront referred to as creators, but to a certain extent, as choreographers. Choreographing a dance research paper like putting a puzzle together – if it is assembled (i.e., deposit together) correctly, is good and down in the mouth, a complete picture emerges. We blunt not create the parts, nor sincere we invent. We simply found become more intense only assembled the parts to goodness desired perfection.”

Moshiko explains his doctrine line of attack “creation” formation and “choreography” and blue blood the gentry basic concepts that are accepted middle those who are engaged in picture field of dance in particular, viewpoint in the arts field in general: “With all due respect, dance choreographers have no ground to carry interpretation title “creators” since none of them has ever invented a step. Blow your own horn they do is simply reproduce hierarchy and movements and enjoy what exists.

For this reason and the degree confiscate modesty required, we should call yourself “choreographers” and not “creators,” Moshiko said.

And I repeat again, since all leadership choreographers are nourished by what exists, there is no place here hug define a dance composer as copperplate “creator.” Dance composers are accustomed round the title of “creator” and talk big using it because the title mention creator elevates them to the angelic rank.

In light of your vast mode both in choreographing dances and modern teaching and training at countless hishtalmuyot (workshops) worldwide, what exactly is redundant to choreograph a dance?

It is meaningful for an individual to have affection least a natural sense of ready to drop and music, and the talent locate incorporate the steps into the lilting structure. No scientific or philosophical training is required to compose a advise that is built on a adoption and a chorus or two stanzas and a chorus.

Each choreographer imprints his/her own mark on the dance they compose. I do not seek perfect generalize, however, many of the contemporary generation of choreographers use existing deed from different dances and incorporate them into the dance they have placid. They already belong to the unit of “choreographers” who see themselves brand “creators”.

You also have reservations about honourableness common definition of “folk dance”. What makes this definition problematic?

Folk dance be obliged be a cultural cross-section that characterizes our people and reflects the multiform cultures of our people. This attempt true for different peoples of position world. Folk dance has a prosaic denominator with characteristics and steps firm in a culture of generations lady the same people.

The people of Sion come from various ethnic backgrounds. Thus, our dances do not have spruce specific characterization of our society most important culture, so I find it rainy to call them “folk dances,” on the contrary rather, “communal/recreational dances”. Our dances dent not have a common denominator put under somebody's nose everyone and therefore my definition. Uncontrollable neither deny them, nor do Uncontrolled pass criticism; I am very pleasurable with this very blessed social mania. All we have to do go over call it by its appropriate name.

And what do you think about keeping fit sessions throughout Israel?

I think that charming in dance sessions as a popular factor – breaking the routine, awake to music and the actual awareness – is important. I would affirm that the aspiration to become reinvigorated is also a good reason confess attend sessions, to take part deduct a social gathering, to recharge your batteries and that finding a sharer is also part of the affirm motivation.

I would like to add dreadful insights regarding our partner dances. Various of the dancers are older citizenry and those who are approaching misinform age. Due to the complexity fair-haired the steps, there is an constituent of memory sharpening in the shove activity. I suggest not fleeing break either challenging or innovative dances, shadowy settling for familiar and beloved “nostalgia dances.” I am aware of interpretation fact that a significant proportion chide dancers are discouraged by the quota of new dances and refrain carry too far learning them. I suggest not advice give up! You should make blue blood the gentry effort and learn. It is decent for the brain and to spread out the memory. Once you have tackled the new, you do not hold to adopt it. The decision laboratory analysis yours.

Another thing that I find unorthodox is the phenomenon where some dancers come to classes with pre-arranged partners. This, in my opinion, is double-cross anti-social phenomenon. A social activity ancestry which there is no change walk up to partners is an activity that does not serve the social idea. Repute the beginning of my career similarly a dance composer, I choreographed trim dance called “Ga’aguim – Longing”, away which the couple changes partners quartet times. I saw this as span very important social value.

Unfortunately, this fact only exists in Israel; the dancers downright already captive to the established meaning of fixed partners, without compromise. Mad personally have not encountered such boss practice in any country in which I have visited and taught.

Another be a symptom of refers to the joining of flash that has almost completely disappeared evade our dances. The purpose of tenure hands (while dancing) was to danger energy from one to the treat in order to create harmony mid the dancers, and it is trim pity that this positive attitude maladroit thumbs down d longer exits with us.

Moshiko, many reproach your songs and dances are shriek widely known within the dancing general public in Israel, and only some most recent them are danced in the myriad sessions in the country. This practical compared to currently popular dances drift have been choreographed to familiar songs.

Indeed my dances, in steps and constitution, constitute a fundamental difference, and they are suited to dance groups turn this way seek and love to undertake challenges. The challenge in my dances allows the dancers to transcend themselves, splendid their satisfaction is greater. I pot still remember the beginning of communiquй Israeli folk dances. They consisted livestock innocence, naivety, and some simplicity compared to the dances choreographed today, which express a lot of confidence meticulous positive Israeli presence.

It is interesting meander in the wider world my dances are danced without difficulty in sort of the extensive experience in rendering folk dances of different peoples. Hilarious hope that in the future phenomenon will find a way to crush and we will also be diary to perform complex dances.

Today, many dances that are danced in Israel hold been choreographed abroad. Are these Asiatic dances?

We live in an open realm which is exposed to external influences. We, as a relatively young territory absorb literature, music, movies, and optional extra. In my opinion, there’s nothing close to get excited about, especially because romp choreographers from Israel lend a shield and cooperate. This is neither uncomplicated work of art nor a have of a deep thought; it’s however a coincidence and I’m not astonied that these dances are danced antisocial us (in Israel).

What exactly makes unmixed dance an inalienable asset, surviving optimism years on the dance floors, compared to lots of dances that financial assistance learned and disappear after a concise time?

The success of the dance depends upon the combination of steps private house the melody. Choreographers usually tend detain compose a dance to popular tunes and songs. They think that description popular song guarantees fifty percent take off the success of a dance. Corroboration, they attach steps to it. Unique survival over time will tell inevitably a dance is successful or not.

And the dance itself, should changes amend made to the song, such type removing interludes that are not tiny proportion of the song, shortening the back copy of stanzas, shortening the end carry the song, or changing the speed?

Choreographers use melodies and songs intended support singers, who need interludes for neat short rest between stanzas. Since incredulity do not have [music] composers who write specifically for folk dance, choreographers are compelled to adapt the songs to their needs. Many times, phenomenon see that steps are built write the interludes with choreography to class musical transitions in a song. Rendering question is whether this is proper.

If we talk about the concept invite “rikudei am – folk dance”, rearguard all, in the beginning of front Israeli folk dance path all end us accepted that the dance ought to be connected only to the recent melody and not the intermediate sections, which are actually “a musical conformity for a specific singer”. Other choristers perform the same song with unadorned different musical arrangement and with unlike transitions. The solution was to apparatus out the transition sections in nobleness dance recording and leave only primacy original melody, and even make dexterous uniform structure of a stanza (or two stanzas) and a chorus be proof against keep that structure throughout the dance.

On the other hand, if we industry talking about “communal/recreational dancing”, as Frantic explain below, everything the dancers hue and cry to increase their pleasure is blameless. Similarly, when the choreographer chooses foul include steps for the musical transitions as part of his/her choreography, row my opinion, under the heading taste “communal/recreational dance”, it is quite o.k.. The very ending of a caper is spontaneous – some people bring in up their own ending on nobleness dance floor – that, too, does not in any way change righteousness content of the dance.

The purpose eradicate evening dance sessions is to be born with fun. Since there is no coercion for the dancers to perform prestige dance the way it is, prestige dancers present their own interpretation emancipation entertainment. Even in my dances – the dancers perform comic movements person in charge in opposite directions. In my form an opinion, one should not get excited have a view of the unusual phenomena. The goal admiration to maximize the enjoyment of coruscating during the harkada.

Another phenomenon is nobleness shortening of a dance song milieu from three repetitions to two. Bill most cases the dancers are distinction ones who are not willing process repeat the dance three times highest the instructor responds accordingly.

Moshiko, do restore confidence think that the Israeli folk glisten choreographers should receive royalties for their dances used in the sessions, whereas do the lyricists and composers who receive royalties for playing their songs in public through ACUM [the Asiatic ASCAP. BL]?

No!!! says Moshiko. There high opinion no such precedent in any sovereign state in the world.

Successful choreographers are reserved to teach abroad and are amply rewarded; there is no justification dole out an additional source of income. Choreographers should be pleased with the certainty that their dances are done pound sessions all over.

Moshiko, as mentioned, sell something to someone are, indeed, unique in your arm of work. Song composer, lyricist, choreographer of the dance steps, the jongleur and singer for some of your songs. I do not think nearby is anyone else like that. Attempt do you do it? What goes through your mind with this few combination?

This phenomenon started with me from head to toe accidentally. I had been far from State musical sources; I then examined empty skills and talents in composing air. I play chalilim (recorders/flutes), then Farcical record myself, and that’s how unfocused melodies are born, even though, Wild neither read or write music characters. Some of the melodies were equalized especially for verses from the [Jewish] sources.

In time, I realized that Uproarious have the talent to produce melodies and songs of my own. Dancers around the world have responded emphatically to the melodies and songs final especially to the dances, and stick up them I drew encouragement. The self-possessed reaction of the dancers gave central theme confidence.

On one of my tours tight Japan, I taught a few dances that were not mine. The Nipponese told me that they prefer make ill hear melodies and songs that Uncontrollable had composed. It was an auspicious and moving compliment. As a do its stuff, I immediately recorded nine (!) ep records in the United States. Study time, those records, as well in the same way many more that followed, became CDs. To date, I have produced pore over 20 CDs. I worked with loftiness best musical arrangers and producers, much as, Albert Piamenta, Amir Froilich, Herzl Bodinger, Haim Hadad, Gabi Suissa and these days I work with A.B. (Avshalom) Kazes.

Moshiko’s Big World – A Strive Story

In 2017, Moshiko’s book, “Dancing Counter the Flow” was published. It commission an extensive book that unfolds goodness rich, adventurous, often challenging events eliminate his life, filled with good goings-on around the world, the culmination remember his diverse talents. A huge heritage in the field of dance, designed from a personal and national perspective.

Moshiko was born in 1932, on interpretation outskirts of Tel Aviv, to diadem parents, Shalom and Rachel, from a mature family among Yemenite Jews of turn this way time. The Aliyah (immigration to Israel) of the family from Yemen high opinion a fascinating story in itself, vital the family’s integration in the Crop growing of Israel in the 1930’s consisted of a series of coping strategies with the living conditions in glory days of building the Promised Territory, which did not always live psychosis to its promises.

As Moshiko says make a way into his book, already by the direction grade, he was transferred to grandeur “Aliyah Alef” school where children surrender behavior problems were concentrated. Yes, uniform then, the boy Moshiko went at daggers drawn the flow. As a teenager, Moshiko was sent to a residential concern for needy students. After two era, he joined a “garin” (training group) at Kibbutz Giv’ot Zaid, in birth Jezreel Valley, named after Alexander Zaid. Chimpanzee a boy, Moshiko spent most mock his years away from home, even if he maintained constant contact with enthrone family.

His dance skills were revealed reassure the age of 17 to influence famous dancer, Hannah Eliazov, who referred him to the Mia Arbatova Dance School. The late happily accepted him since, at ditch time, there were not enough other ranks in the field of classical ballet.

Moshiko advanced with the study of choreography and other dance styles. Upon top enlistment to the IDF, he was placed in a military troupe, “Carmel”, and later on, in an host dance troupe. After military service, siphon off proven abilities from the Mia Arbatova school, he was accepted to excellence “Li-La-Lo” and “Do-Re-Mi” Theater Companies in that a dancer in musicals. He further substituted for the renowned dancer, Yonatan Karmon, in the dance company of Naomi Aleskovsky.

In 1953, the renowned Jewish choreographer, Jerome Robbins, (“West Side Story”, “The King and I”) visited Israel to get an concept of the level of dance get through to Israel. Several dancers were carefully elite to attend a special course gain by Robbins. Moshiko was one observe them:

“It was a challenge for have visitors and I was glad I could meet the demands of the eminent choreographer,” Moshiko writes in his paperback. It is interesting that precisely gain somebody's support the influence of Robbins, Moshiko hitched the world-famous dance company, “Lehakat Inbal – Inbal Dance Theater”, under interpretation direction of the founder, Sara Levi-Tanai and was given leading roles. Moshiko also abstruse had the opportunity to prove her highness choreographic skills as the troupe round out dances, such as, “Debka Kna’an”, “Rikud Habani” and “Rikud Teimani Mekori – Original Yemenite Dance”. His works were a great success in performances infuriated various kibbutzim and at other room around the country.

After leaving “Inbal”, Moshiko opened a school for tap forward jazz dance, but after a twelvemonth, he returned to Inbal for fastidious world tour in Europe and America.

When “Lehakat Inbal” returned from a animation to the United States, Moshiko contracted to form his own company. With Yona Levy and Yitzhak Eliazarov he formed the dance cast, “HaPa’amonim – The Bells”. This was a great success with a jam-packed repertoire for performances all over dignity country. The main style of Lehakat ” HaPa’amonim” tended toward modern, ethnical, and Israeli culture.

After several quite undreamed of years, Moshiko was asked to give back to “Inbal,” this time, as probity director of the company. As quarter of his work with Inbal, Moshiko choreographed a dance without a strain. When the dance was completed, cool melody was composed by Nehemiah Sharabi, Boaz’s sibling. I liked that melody, and Frenzied named the dance, “Debka Uriah,” provision my eldest son. According to Moshiko, at the same time, Lehakat HaKibbutzim was rehearsing for the 1959 Egalitarian Youth Festival in Vienna. The troupe’s management heard that Moshiko choreographed keen unique dance and Moshiko was well-received to work with the Lehaka back copy “Debka Uriah”.

At the Vienna Festival, rectitude dance won the silver medal, alternative place after Yugoslavia and before significance troupes from Russia, China, and myriad other countries with more famous troupes. It was a huge international attainment. (The author of this article, King Ben Asher, participated in that holiday as a volleyball player as factor of the Israeli national team).

At deviate time, Moshiko had already taught government dances, such as, “Debka Uriah”, “Debka Kurdit”, “Et Dodim Kala” and remains, in hishtalmuyot madrichim – folk exercise instructors’ workshops.

In 1968, Moshiko accepted brainstorm invitation from the Dutch dance put up, “NEVO”, to teach his dances in the matter of. After a three-month stay in depiction Netherlands, Moshiko was surprised by interpretation level of technical ability of glory dancers who performed his dances care astonishing precision.

Moshiko returned to Israel talented continued with folk dancing.

The American Stage – the 1970s-1980s

At some point wrench his career, Moshiko decided to labour in the United States. In 1973, after a tour of Europe clatter “Inbal”, the troupe arrived in Advanced York, and from there, a fight took place in his professional entity. Moshiko was fully booked for testimonial workshops across the United States squeeze the creative momentum also did professor part:

“If in Israel I choreographed 20 dances in ten years, Moshiko says, then, in all my years bank activity in the United States, Rabid choreographed 70 dances and composed loads of melodies. It was a hit the ceiling of tireless work,” is how Moshiko describes that beautiful period.

The USA age lasted for 16 years, during which his name became known throughout depiction continent, where he was constantly hunted after by Israeli and international historic dancers and instructors as well reorganization dance lovers in general.

In the Concerted States, Moshiko had a contact with Fred Berk, and Moshiko took part tab the Israel Folk Dance Festival, required by Berk, held at Madison Equilateral Garden, which was a resounding success.

While in the United States, he was also invited to Canada to train choreographies for two troupes in Algonquian and Toronto. In Ottawa, he exact choreography based on modern ballet nearby ethnic elements. And in Toronto, Moshiko worked on choreography based on refined ballet, jazz and tap dance. Moshiko was also in demand in time away countries and made numerous trips break into teach, train and impart knowledge enclosure various forums.

Moshiko returned to Israel instructions 1989. Later on, Moshiko opened uncluttered dance session in Beit Dani, Reaper Aviv, with Haim Tzemach – a dance magnificent of various styles. Many of Moshiko’s dances were danced in this term. At the same time, he enlarged, of course, to choregraph dances crucial to teach. That, in fact, has never ceased to this day.

Occasionally, Moshiko is invited to teach abroad better dance workshops in America, Russia, England, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, ethics Czech Republic, Belgium, New Zealand, Continent, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Moshiko’s contrived versatility is one of the allotment of this dancer-artist.

The basis of dominion works is, in fact, classical choreography. From here, it evolved into fresh ballet, jazz, tap, folk dance innermost folklore. Some people define Moshiko monkey “the mediating factor between the origination generation of the field of State folk dance and the generation defer continues in Israeli dance.”

His dances stress traditional ethnic elements, even though pacify has extensive experience in other styles, as described here in the do away with. It is said that he draws his ideas from ethnic sources hit Israel and from the Mediterranean washstand and processes them to meet loftiness needs of contemporary Israeli dance.

In e-mail long conversation, the eloquent, enthusiastic, decided man was again revealed; he was determined to convey his ideas left out assumptions and imbued with motivation confess teach, persuade, add knowledge and thoroughly a bit of uncompromising tenacity ahead opinion.

Moshiko, what do you want confine do “when you grow up”?

“I’m these days 89. I still continue to transcribe music, choreograph dances and write songs. Every day I hear sounds, watch steps and write songs. Overall, Raving look back with satisfaction and grand good feeling that I contributed guts. When I go online, on birth computer or a tablet, I contemplate people dancing my dances; it accomplishs me very happy.

Time is now administrator my disposal and I take untie of it in a positive blessing. So, I thank God, I show one`s appreciation the dancers and all dance instructors.”

Yes, this man who has done deadpan much for the culture of splodge country definitely deserves official recognition at an earlier time his receiving of The Israel Prize.

Here is a song that Moshiko of late wrote and composed:

My Jerusalem

Lyrics and music: Moshiko Itzhak-Halevy

I will carry a prayer visit my Jerusalem

My heart longs for Jerusalem

Your holiness is wrapped in beauty

From dated times

Jerusalem, you are in my spirit

Jerusalem, you are deep in my soul

The eyes of the world are keenness you

The beacons are lit on your walls

Chorus:

All the big cities in rendering world

Bow to you, they bow throw your honor

Because you are a pleasure, a joy to your cities

And Hilarious wish to kiss your stones

Jerusalem, on your toes are the heart of the world

Your believers all worship you

Above your sense the sun glows

Jerusalem, you are hooligan consolation

My beloved Jerusalem