Saar Harari's lean frame gyrates in fits and spurts along the dark mat in the CORE dance studio room. One moment his arms float delicately in the space around him. In a quick flash he "snaps" his torso to the height of a young child and commands his dancers to make similar type moves. The group of dancers quickly follow suit producing their own unique "snap" movements, and in a way, expressing their own individuality.
Harari is teaching a class in the unique dance form called "Gaga" invented by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. Gaga is often referred to as a "movement language" and it requires dancers to be more in-tune to their muscles. The dancing involves structured improvisation and not movement replication.
"Now I want you all to stretch as high as you can on your toes," says Harari. "Dance how you would have when you were a teenager, but do it on your tippy toes," he instructs.
Harari is teaching his final class of the week in Atlanta, ending a run that included stops at the Atlanta Ballet, Glo Atlanta and CORE Dance Studios.
"Having Saar here was an amazing experience for everyone who learned from him," said Yonit Stern, Cultural Affairs Director at the Israeli Consulate. "There is a thirst here in Atlanta to learn more about the Gaga technique," she said.
Yonit Stern says she hopes to bring Saar Harari back to Atlanta in the Fall to conduct workshops open to the public.