Dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, movement vocal and singing researcher, specializes in Atlas mountain and Saharan Moroccan dance. Born 1969, graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and dance.
Started her professional career as a dancer and solo artist at the “Kol Ve Dmama” (Sound and Silence) dance company and the Batsheva Ensemble. Further researched through the years into Arab Folklore, dedicated two years in studying Arab music at the Bar-Ilan University, and traveled all the way to Morocco to study first-hand the origin of Barbaric and Gnaouan tribal dance.
Developer of a unique dance language, based upon movement creation from a state of relaxation, respecting the natural movement of the body and the mind and body structure of each dancer.
Developed the Portal Method for teaching and practicing the object-self as a way of expressing accurate and realistic movement. A practice based on the delicate movement of the pelvic and its communication with the rest of the bodily organs. She also developed an improvisation portal – bodily study as means to deepen awareness, to perfect the ability of movement and realizing the creative potential, a movement that integrates improvisation with the principals of Feldenkrais.
In 2009 she founded the Orly Portal Dance Company for which she created original pieces, connecting ancient dance and contemporary expression whilst implementing the insights of her research.
Her work: “Night of Hob”, “Gnaoua”, “Between the Visible and the Hidden”, “Between World of Dance” – co-production with the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra, “Rabia”, “Seviria”, ” Farid al-Atrash spring ritual”, “Baizou” and “Far Away Land”. These works have been critically acclaimed and praised and valued by the audience.
Won the 2019 Ministry of Culture Yitzhak Navon prize for creation encouragement. Currently she creates, performs and runs workshops locally and internationally.
