MEET THE STAFF
Chen Shporen
Chen cannot wait to join us for another year of dancing and fun at Gvanim!
Chen is a core part of the Gvanim community, bringing his heart, energy, and laughs across the dance floor. Chen is a dance leader in Northern Israel, leading several weekly sessions, as well as a regular "Marathon Boker Shel Hatzafon" -a day-time marathon up north. His dances range from Shluk Miketzev and Pri Pa Pa to Torero, Chihuaha,Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, and more.
Chen always brings his laughs, energy, and heart to the dance floor, and we're so excited to dance with him this year at Gvanim!
Michael Barzelai
We're so excited to be joined by Michael Barzelai for another year at Gvanim!
Michael grew up in the area of Haifa, in northern Israel, and has been dancing since he was 8 years old.
He started working for markidim in Israel (and replacing them when needed) in 2010. In 2015, Michael was invited to teach at a dance camp for the first time - in GVANIM! This led him to choreograph his first dance to be taught globally - "La Trompeta" which premiered in Gvanim 2015.
Since then he choreographed many other dances that are being danced around the world, such as Normali, Achshav Ani Chozer, Bechayay, Gaagua Baruach, Resisim, Tzipor Zahav, Even Al Even, Aneni, Mishehu Iti Kan, Shvatim, Ana Aref, Betoch Niyar Iton and many more.
When he's not choreographing dances, Michael works a Hardware Engineer in the Chip Design industry.
He is excited to come back again this year to Gvanim, which became like 2nd home to him.
Paloma Raphael
Paloma is so excited to join us for her first year on teaching staff at Gvanim!
Paloma was born in Chile ,and made Aliyah to Israel eleven years ago. She now lives in Tel Aviv, where dance continues to shape her daily life.
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Paloma has been dancing since the age of six, when her parents introduced her to the Jewish community dance in Chile. From that moment on, Israeli folk dance became part of who she is — not just a hobby, but a way to connect, celebrate, and feel at home anywhere in the world.
After completing her army service, she joined Komuna, where she began taking her first steps as an instructor. Over the years, teaching has become a natural extension of her love for dance. She occasionally leads sessions at Beit Dani studio, a place that feels like a second home to her, and on Thursday nights she is part of the teaching team at Studio Ma’agalim at Tel Aviv University, sharing energy, movement, and joy with the dancers. She brings positive energy and a captivating smile to every dance floor she steps onto.
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Beyond the dance floor, Paloma is an occupational therapist, accompanying people on their rehabilitation journeys. She brings the same sensitivity, dedication, and belief in human potential to both her professional work and her teaching.
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Paloma is truly excited to join Gvanim for the first time as an instructor and looks forward to dancing, connecting, and creating meaningful moments together.
Dani Lansky
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Dani Lansky is an energetic markid, coreographer, dancer, singer and entertainer from Argentina. He cannot wait to join the Gvanim community for the first time!
Dani has worked in different events in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Colomba, Mexico, USA, Israel and Australia.
As an Israeli Folk Dance coreographer, he won 1st place twice in the Festival Hava Netze Bemachol IFD competition, with his dances "Veimru Amen" and "Boi Boi".
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He can't wait to dance with everyone this summer!