Israel Yakovee Status:   Active Specialty:   Israeli Range:   Israeli, international	CLICK TO ENLARGE
Israel (or Yisrael) Yakovee was born in 1947 in the city of Rehovot, Israel, to a traditional Yemenite family and had his early education through high school in Israel. Israel's love of Israeli folk dance started in the Kibbutz youth movement and he was further introduced to the world of dance when his kibbutz sent him to an institute for folk dance instructiors in 1963. He studied there for two years and continued on a professional level when he became a certified Israeli folk dance instructor. He served three years in the Israeli army, then became a professional dancer in several well-known performing groups in Israel. Israel came to the United States on a foreign exchange program and received a degree in Physical Education and Sports Medicine from the California State University in Northridge. He also worked in the Physical Therapy Department at Northridge Hospital. In 1968, Israel received a dance scholarship from Bat-Sehva Institute. There he studied mondern dance and classical ballet. He later performed at the Alhambra Musical Theatre in the Israeli production of "Hello Dolly." A year later, he joined the Carmon dance group and traveled with them to the United States. He left Carmon to become a foreign exchange student and came to Los Angeles where he began teaching folk dancing as a past time. He was further introduced to folk dancing came at Camp Blue Star under its legendary director Fred Berk. Israel specializes in Yemenite-Jewish folklore and dance. He was a regular at Cafe Danssa, The Intersection, and Zorbas folk dance coffeehouses and has taught at many dance camps, including the Stockton Folk Dance Camp in California. Israel has taught master classes and workshops in Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Japan, South America, and Taiwan. He has taught several dance tours across the United States and teaches two ongoing weekly sessons in Westwood, California, with his wife, Michelle, who is also a teacher (Israel has five children and a couple of grandchildren). Israel has worked with several performing groups, including the famous Inbal Dance Theatre. He was choreographer for the Finjan Israeli Dance Ensemble, co-founder of the Hora Shalom Israeli Dance Institutes on both the East and West coasts, and founder and director of the Finjan Labor Day Weekend (now named Finjan-Hilula). He has performed throughout the United States and Israel. Israel is a Master of Ceremonies, entertainer, and dance instructor, with more than twenty years in the entertainment business. And, as a professional disk jockey, he is available 24 hours a day and can deliver top-quality sound from a high-tech system. He specializes in creating memorable energy and excitement for intimate privete parties to huge social bashes. He can also provide big screen video or live entertainment (dancers, singers, musicians, performing groups). Going to the gymnasium, working out, playing basketball, and running on the court with kids his own son's age keeps Israel active and happy. I loves to dance and choreograph new dances because, as he says, "it is in my blood and I am traveling to workshops all over the world." Israel has one grandchild. He remarried in the late 1990s, had a child in 1999 and expects another in 2003. Israel has written several articles on Israeli dance and is a producer of Boi Tieman records. His Lior CDs of mostly Israeli folk dance music is available by calling (800) 750-5432. Dances Israel has taught include Aba Shimon, Abanibi, Achay Bney Teiman, Achot Lanu Ktana, Agadelcha, Ahavat Shaday, Al Na Tikvi, Ani Ohev Otach (Leah I), An'im Emirot, Ayelet Chen, Bat Melachim, Bat Teiman, Beit Halomotai, Chatuna Teimanit, Chazara Lamutav, Daase, Dan VeDanna, Dawda Hiya, Dror Yikra, Eheyen Asher Eheyeh, Ein Li Ish Milvadi, Eizo Medina, Haleli-Or, Hashevach La'el, Heydani Dance, Im Nin'alu, Ima Bracha, Inshalah, Kadur Regel, Kaashe Li, Karoun, Kilat Hod, Kumi Ori, Lefelach Harimon, Machmad Levavi, Mat'ar, Mechol Bracha, Mi Li Yiten, Midbar, Miyimtza Li, Mocher Prachim (Hora Perach), Naaneh La'el, Nargila, Ofra, Otach Ima, Rachman Rachem, Rosh Berosh, Sar Hememuneh, Shachar Ya'ir, Shavnu Le'eretz Haavot (Shir Hamea), Sheharhoret, Shevach La'el, Shimi Aniya, Shir Hakirvah, Shir Me Abba, Shney Plagim, Shoshanat Teyman, Shufni (Haviv Huvani), Shur Dodi, Shuvi Kilat Hod, Sovev Gal Gal, Sukar, Tawshich, Torat Moshe, Ya Yuma, Yada Na, Yelud Isha, and Yemenite Rap (Tzina El Yamen).

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