The Instructors
Leng and Yigal are pleased to be able to share their love of Israeli dancing with the community. Besides starting their own session in October 2006, they have volunteered their time to teach and demonstrate Israeli dancing at various temples, organizations in Fairfield and Westchester counties.
As of September 2009, they are pleased to announce additional morning and evening sessions to accommodate those who wish to dance during the day and during the evenings.
Leng & Yigal also teach Israeli dancing at Solomon Schecter High in Hartsdale, NY. Their students enjoy a variety of fun line & circle dances!
They are leading Israeli dancing at special events, such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings! In addition, they offer private lessons for circle, line and partner dancing !
Yigal has been dancing for over 18 years. He is a quick study and has excelled to a level where he enjoys being a leader and instructor at his sessions with Leng.
Yigal wants to impress upon everyone that Israeli dancing is no longer the typical "Hora" that is being done at Jewish weddings. Rather, Israeli dancing has evolved and now encompasses many other styles and steps. The new more modern Israeli dancing include Latin ballroom dance steps such as "cha cha", "merengue", "tango" & the "paso doble".
Yigal favors partner dancing and line dancing. At one point in his life, he used to dance four times a week ! It's quite possible to get the "bug" and want to dance more than once a week ! We can say he was a "danceoholic" !
Believe it or not, Yigal did not dance at all while he was in Israel. It was here, in the United States, that he tried his hand (or his feet) at dancing. Much of this credit goes to his sisters.
Yigal loves drumming on his darbouka while his students are dancing. He is just as passionate about perfecting his techniques with drumming as he is with dancing. The sound of live drumming at our sessions definitely adds another element of excitement and fun !
Leng has been dancing for over 30 years and teaching for over 18 years. She started with International dancing (Greek, Macedonian, Turkish, Israeli, Balkan, Scottish), but has always favored Israeli dancing ! She embraces Israeli music and melodies. She especially enjoys the challenge of debka style dances - a much more difficult style of dance.
Leng feels that Israeli dancing is wonderful exercise, for the body, mind and soul ! She truly looks forward to their sessions where she and Yigal can enjoy the challenge of programming and teaching a variety of dances.
As of May 2010, Leng became licensed to teach Zumba. At her Zumba classes, Leng like to incorporate fun Israeli line dances.
If you are interested in a performance demonstration or lessons for a special event - school picnic, party, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, fundraiser, contact Leng.
They have been featured at:
Jewish Home for the Elderly, Fairfield, CT
Children's Vacation Bible School, Israeli Marketplace, St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Darien, CT
"Synaplex" for Temple Beth El in Stamford, Connecticut
"Tapestry: A Celebration of Jewish Learning", co-sponsored by United Jewish Federation and the Stamford Jewish Community Center (JCC)
"Yom Ha'atzmaut" celebration at Temple Shaaray Tefila, located in Bedford, NY
"Israel's 60th Birthday Bash" at the Stamford JCC
1st & 2nd annual "Israelis in Connecticut" picnic, Compo Beach, Westport, CT
"Yom Ha'atzmaut" celebration at Temple Israel, Westport, CT
Israeli Dancing - Adults & Children, Temple B'nai Torah, Trumbull, CT
Westchester Jewish Community Center, Mamaroneck, NY
"Yom Ha'atzmaut" celebration, Congregation Beth El, Fairfield, CT
Solomon Schecter - Upper School, Hartsdale, NY
"Young Jewish Professionals, Singles Dance Party", co-sponsored by United Jewish Federation and the Stamford Jewish Community Center (JCC)
Yiddish Cultural Club, Jackson, NJ
"Rosh Chodesh" celebrations at Solomon Schechter School of Westchester, Hartsdale, NY
"Israeli Dance Instruction for Students", Congregation Sons of Israel, Briarcliff Manor, NY
"Rosh Chodesh" celebration at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford, NY
"Israel Night" at Temple B'nai Chaim, Georgetown, CT
"Celebrate Israel", UB Jews, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT
