Blog

November 2021: Liat Har Lev

Who is Liat Har Lev in a sentence?
Liat Har Lev is an emerging Flamenco dance artist, and choreographer.

Tell us a bit about your work and practice.
I believe that Dance Performance exists to communicate and teach. It is an embodied language that have different forms, shapes, and expression. As an expressive dancer the source of the inspiration for my choreographies and performances comes from the need to express a story, to invite people to move and think deeply. My work is inspired by the human condition and personal experiences. I take pride in collaborating with local dance artists, and musicians and I strive to create new works.

The passionate, expressive, and challenging nature of Flamenco inspires me to research, create, and perform it. As a dance artist my purpose is to inspire, teach, connect, and express.

I have been actively performing in various venues and festivals across the lower mainland for the past 5 years. Last year, I started creating a choreography called We shall not forget with the support of the 12 Minutes Max program offered at The Dance Centre. I continued to develop and refine it and had the opportunity to film it this year. I am very proud of this original artistic creation which was dedicated to the Holocaust victims and survivors of World War II.

I am looking forward for the opportunity to perform it to live audience in the future.

Presently I am working on two new original dance choreographies which I am very excited to present next year to live audience and on social media.

How long have you been dancing?
I have been dancing for over 15 years and performing for the past 5 years

How does dance fit into your life currently?
Dance plays a big part in my life. I strengthen my dance skills daily. I take regular dance workshops, weekly dance classes, I show up at the studio for practice, I perform, I create new works, and always on the search for new opportunities.

How would you describe dance’s impact on your life?
Dance brings inspiration, connection, and personal growth into my life.

What three core values drive your engagement with dance?
Passion

Expression

Creativity

Do you have a particular practice that you carry out each day or have you implemented new practices as a way of adapting to the current climate?
I meditate and exercise daily to maintain my dance practice and stay embodied in challenging times.

What would you say are the most significant benefits for you in being a Dance Centre member?
Being a Dance Centre member is an important part of being connected to the dance community. I feel privileged to spend time in such beautiful studio spaces and develop strong community connection and networking. I want to take this opportunity to thank The Dance Centre staff for all of their support, and knowledge. All the opportunities you have given so far has helped me to develop my artistic practice and endeavors.

How have you been spending your time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what are you most looking forward to doing moving forward?
During the pandemic I have been spending time developing my dance skills at the studio and I have been inspired to develop new dance choreographies. I collaborated with other flamenco dance artists and musicians to perform digitally at The Victoria Flamenco Festival in year 2020, and I got to see lots of dance videos and watch some incredible dance works that have been taking off by the digital space. I really got inspired by all the incredible work that the dance community put together to survive these difficult times. I am looking forward to presenting my new works live and digitally and to be working closely with my dance peers in the studio, theatre, and digital space because they push me to work hard and be my best self.

This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Scotiabank Dance Centre. What impact do you feel the building has had on the dance community, our city, and/or your own practice.
The Scotiabank Dance Centre is a hub for the dance community. It brings people from diverse communities to create, share, and experience dance in the city. It offers a nurturing environment that supports the creative potential. Since I have joined the Scotiabank Dance Centre I have developed so much as a dancer. It provides programs, workshops, mini-grants, and great opportunities to connect with a broader audience. It is an important cradle for the development of the dance artist.

Liat’s Member Profile
www.liliflamenco.com
Instagram: @lili_flamenco
_________________________________________________________________________

Interested in becoming a Dance Centre Member? Learn more here
Photos by Chris Randle, courtesy of the artist