Contact was started by T.H.E in 2010 with the aims of celebrating contemporary dance and providing platforms for exchange and learning between practitioners as well as enthusiasts of contemporary dance. Into its third successful year, Contact has established itself amongst the local and regional dance community as the festival known for riveting, ground breaking works. Presented by one of Singapore's most sought-after dance companies, T.H.E Dance Company, Contact 2012 will showcase 3 israeli artists in a week of jam-packed performances, workshops and technique classes catered to all levels.
Idan COHEN was born and raised in Israel, kibbutz Mizra, and danced with the world known K.C.D.C (founder Yehudit Arnon). Since 2005 he has been creating, performing and teaching successfully as an international award winning independent choreographer.
His creations include: Mad Siren (2011), Brazil (2010) in collaboration with Maria Kong Dancers Company; Because (2010) created for SDT, Bytom-Poland, Swan Lake (2009) supported by Tanzplan Dresden, Germany, Joy Ride (2008), His prize-winning works include: My sweet little fur" (2007), which received the first Performing Prize at the"Solo Tanz Theater Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, A year in a fish life (2006) which received the second price at the No Ballet competition in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Half cup sesame seeds (2007), created for the Bulgaria’s Arabesque Dance Company, won the first prize and the encouraging Award for original interpretation of musical composition in the Margarita Arnaudova international modern dance competition in Sofia. Cohen continues to tour his work internationally and receive invitations as Guest Artist and teacher worldwide, at prestigious institutions such as the Cullberg Ballet and the Scottish Dance Theatre.
Maya Brinner, Dancer & Choreographer, Born in California, moved to Israel at the age of five and
has since lived in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. Graduated from the "Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance", and from the "Sam Spiegel Film School".
Maya started her dancing career in 2000; since she has danced in lead roles with some of Israel's more known Choreographers, including Emanuel Gat (Rite of Spring), performing worldwide. Her work as a dancer acquitted her twice with the "Ministry of Science and Culture Prize for Exceptional Performance."
Since 2005 Brinner has been creating independent work as a Choreographer with the support of the best-known festivals in Israel. Her work integrates dance with a cinematic view. As choreographer, she has won numerous prizes including the 'Teva award', the 'America-Israel award' and the 'Ministry of Culture Prize for young choreographer', and has been invited to perform in Germany, Poland, China, Singapore, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and the US.
Brinner teaches and gives workshop & master classes in Israel & abroad.
Born in 1987, in Israel. Omer ASTRACHAN trained in the Bat-Dor school "Program for professional dancers" before he joined "Kamea Dance Company", IL, as a leading dancer, working with choreographers such as Tamir Ginz, Uri Ivgi, Lior lev and more. In 2010 he joined the "Junior Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company" and performed in the creations of KCDC Artistic Director Rami Be'er.
Today Astrachan works as a freelance dancer in Tel Aviv with choreographers such as Rotem Tashach, Sally-Anne Friedland and more. Astrachan joined Idan Cohen's company in April 2012.