Gadi Bitton — Israeli Dance

Through the framework of his vocation, Gadi works tirelessly to promote, expand, and stimulate interest in Israeli folk dance, bringing national and international recognition to the art form in step with the times — drawing in younger generations and widening the circle, while continuing to respect and provide a place for established veterans and the heritage of Israeli dance.

Professional Roles

• Artistic Director of the Karmiel Dance Festival, since 2020
• Chairperson of the Hebrew Song Division at the Ministry of Culture, since 2018
• Member of the Professional Dance and Community Culture Divisions at the Ministry of Culture, since 2018
• Member of the Israel Council for Culture and Art, since 2017
• Chairperson of the Folklore and Israeli Folk Dance Division at the Ministry of Culture, since 2016
• Head of the Dance Division of the Council for Culture and Art in the Community, Ministry of Culture, 2001–2012
• ACUM expert witness and copyright consultant for Israeli dance, 2000–2016
• Chairperson of the Organization of Israeli Folk Dance Instructors and Choreographers, 2005–2009
• Head of the Dance track at the certification school of Tel Aviv University: folk dance, choreography, early-childhood teachers, salsa, jazz, belly dance. Continues to serve as professional consultant for the courses
• Volunteer member of the Culture and Art Committee of the Ministry of Justice (promoting equal access to the arts for underserved populations), 2000–2005
• Founder of "Am Roked" ("A Nation Dances") — a project to preserve Israeli dance, including establishing a documentary archive in the field of dance
• Initiated and established the Dance track at the certification school of Tel Aviv University. Continues to serve as professional consultant for the courses
• Initiator and producer of the "Step Forward" project — reimagining chosen classic Israeli folk dance songs, previously only available on old recordings, performed by contemporary singers. The new, up-to-date performances aim to connect beloved old folk dances with current music, refreshing the repertoire and drawing in younger audiences

Artistic Direction

• Artistic Director and originator of "Israel Dances" — a celebration of Israeli folk dance and Hebrew song, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture
• Artistic Director for the dance track of the "100% Art" festival — which brings together artists with physical disabilities
• Initiator and producer of Camp Bitnua — a gathering of dancers for an intensive dance-focused experience: workshops in many styles, focused instruction for beginners, and folk dancing from every era combined with art and atmosphere. The camp also includes social and cultural programs such as "Eilat's Children Dance" (where elementary school teachers are trained in basic folk dances to teach their students, who then come celebrate through dance at the camp) and "Dance Noon" — a tribute event honoring a veteran figure in Hebrew song, featuring performances by leading dance troupes, an interview, and a token of appreciation. Past guests have included Dudu Barak and Rachel Shapira
• Initiator and producer of the "Tango Kfar Saba: Dancing in White" festival, in partnership with the Kfar Saba municipality — showcasing the wealth and diversity of Israeli folk dance and offering participants of all ages free dance events

Special Projects

• Founder of YeahBit — a 45-minute Israeli fitness class that gives participants a powerful, inspiring workout experience, dancing and performing complex fitness exercises to exclusive high-BPM remixes of familiar folk dances
• Produced and choreographed the "70th Anniversary Performance," the centerpiece item of the national Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl, 2018 (director: Ran Tzachor)
• Produces the "Annual Dance Parade," in which dancers from across the country vote for their favorite dances composed that year, with the winning dances then performed in order of ranking
• Initiator and producer of "Dancing the World" — organizing groups of Israeli dancers to travel abroad, connecting with the dance heritage of each destination country, including Japan, India, Georgia, Hungary, Morocco, Cuba, Poland, and China
• Initiator and producer of the "Dancing in White" events at Kfar HaYarok — a festive event combining folk dancing with performances by singers and dance troupes on the Shavuot holiday, 2005–2012
• Judge at dance competitions: the Karmiel Dance Festival, the Dimona Dance Lights Festival, the Lea Porat Dance Competition, and the "Shades of Dance" project for identifying outstanding dancers (classical and modern) by "Art for the People" in peripheral communities, 2006–2010
• Guinness World Record holder in folk dance — as part of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, produced the world's largest folk dance session event, setting the record
• Initiator and producer of "Israel's Israeli Folk Dance Champion" — a national competition on knowledge of the Israeli folk dance repertoire, with an emphasis on precision of steps, style, and execution
• Produced and choreographed a medley of folk dances presented at the 67th national Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, 2015 (director: Ran Tzachor)

Experience as a Dancer

• Modern and classical dancer at Studio B, 1986–1990
• Dancer with the Tel Aviv Representative Dance Troupe and with dance troupes during his military service, 1986–1992