Rafi Ziv

Born in the town Lod in 1966. Started his musical education as a trumpeteer in the City Orchestra and performed in Israel and abroad. This is where he was exposed to Israeli folk dancing - in joint performances of Orchestras and performing Israeli dance groups and felt the "urge to be with them on the stage"

When Rafi was 18 he was invited by a friend to join him at an Israeli Dance session for youth - this is when he realised that this is the place for him. A few months later he joined the city Dance Troupe.

In the Israeli army he served as an Electronics Technician in the Air Force and voluntarily taught the soldiers Israeli dancing.

Graduated with honours from the Beth Hemlin school for Markidim, while at his last year in service.

He learned Physical education in Beer Sheba, where he became part of the community and opened Israeli Folk Dance sessions in Beer Sheba and the surrounding towns - Ben Gurion University, Omer, Meitar, Lehavim, in addition to teaching children at schools.

Production of many events, sessions with performers such as Shlomi Shabat, Uri Feinman, Doron Mazar, Aviva Avidan, Liora, Sagiv Cohen and more....

Marathons:
With special orchestras, for holidays and other special occasions.

Worldwide known Choreographer:
During his studies at the university he choreographed his first dances - Simchat Hanigun, Menagev Lach et haDma'ot and All Tishkechi Otanu. Since then Rafi as choreographed more than 70 dances that have become popular worldwide.

Every year Rafi is invited to dance camps all over the world and is considered one of the most prominent figures in Israeli Folk Dancing.

Background information From Rafi Ziv's website www.nirkod.com