Hey there, it’s me, Amit Abend.
I am very happy to tell you about my podcast “Inside Contemporary Dance” and the reason I decided to create it. The podcast was born as a result of my journey as a dancer, first as a student, and then as a professional contemporary dancer. Through my time with different projects and companies, I got to know wonderful dancers from all around the world. These meetings, whether they were brief exchanges during an audition (or going out for a beer after getting cut), or long-established friendships - they made me realize something very important. Every opportunity to talk openly about our experiences, to share something real about ourselves, the challenges we face, or even words of encouragement, is extremely meaningful.
In this podcast, I will be conversing with dance artists in various stages of their careers. We will talk about their expectations and dreams; about the injuries, disappointments, and rejections they’ve faced; and we will discuss the challenges and benefits concerning life as a freelancer, as well as those that lie within the life of a company dancer. We will also be discussing ways to redefine the notion of “true success” as a dancer, emphasizing the values of self-fulfillment and unconditional happiness. We are all trying so hard to succeed as artists. Striving for more can push us towards great achievements, but at the same time it can prevent us from being present and truly grateful for all the things we experience now. We need to take every opportunity to remind ourselves that being happy is the ultimate success, and I’ll be discussing the many ways in which that happiness has manifested for the guests on this podcast.
I started my professional career with “Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company”’s second ensemble at the age of 18. Fresh out of high school, I left my home a month after graduation, full of dreams and with no idea of what being a part of a company meant. I started a journey I could have never foreseen. I know that I learned many of my deepest lessons through life experience and by overcoming hardships… but I also believe there was so much pain I could have lessened, or even avoided completely, simply by being more informed, having had proper advice, or a mentor to turn to. I hope this podcast can be that for you. By listening to the stories of those who have come before us, we can gain insight and crucial advice for our own careers as dancers, and learn to make more intelligent decisions, putting our emotional, mental and physical well-being as a top priority. I know it can feel like everyone around you has it all figured out, but the truth is that we all experience challenges and disappointments. We all want to do this thing we feel so passionate about, and it can put us in a very vulnerable place. I want this podcast to be a space free from judgment, ego, and power games. “Inside Contemporary Dance” is a call for a shift in the collective consciousness of our dance community, to begin navigating our awareness of our own suffering and the challenges we face and examine them through the lens of unity and mutual support. I want to remind dance artists all around the world: You Are Not Alone. Especially now, due to the hardships, COVID-19 has brought, we need each other more than ever. It’s time to open up and share what we have learned
So Join me. Let’s take this decision together:
Let’s talk.
Yours truly,
Amit.
“Inside Contemporary Dance” would not have come to life without the
help & support of:
Thomas Bewernick - Sound, recording,
& being there every step of the way.
Naomi Gibson & Ariel Isakowitz - Texts editors,
general consultors, & dear friends.
Dagmara Śliwińska - Podcast cover photographer.
Moritz Wright - Podcast cover photo design.
Carl Albrecht - Mix and sound.
Marco Dray - Original music
My dear family - because I love you.
Last but not least -
YOU. My dear listeners.
You are the life and spirit behind this podcast.
About Amit Abend
Amit Abend is an Israeli dance artist currently based in Germany. By the age of three, Amit was already curious and passionate about dance, learning in a small Ballet studio in Jerusalem. At the age of six, she joined a Folk Dance company with which she performed and practiced on a weekly basis. By the age of twelve, Amit was accepted to the Conservatory at the Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance. She spent six years there, studying dance professionally at the Academy’s high school. During her final year in the academy, Amit was accepted into the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company II. Additionally, she was one of twenty dancers in the country to receive the “Excellent Dancer” recognition from the IDF; a title that allowed her to continue developing her professional dance career during the mandatory service in the Israeli army.
Driven by the poor attitude of the Israeli government towards the arts and a reduction of an already drastically-low culture budget, Amit independently produced, curated and ran an art fair called “Shoshana’s Dane”. All proceeds went to the participating artists, with the clear message: we can create our own jobs and our own opportunities, We can and must support each other.
Shoshana’s Dane, which took place in an up and coming hostel, gave over a dozen independent artists the opportunity to present and sell their works and included performances from five up-and-coming bands as well as a dance duet.
The event’s success was beyond anything she had imagined, even garnering acclaim from several online publications.
As successful and heart-warming as the event was, Amit, at the time only twenty years old, felt that her professional dance career was far from over. She moved to Turin, Italy, for the Nuova Officina Della Danza, an international three-month contemporary dance internship program. Here, she met choreographers and dance artists from all over the world and realized that her journey in Europe must continue. After auditioning with several companies, Amit was accepted to Ephemera Dance Company, a female-only company based in Berlin. After a few months of work and performances, the company’s work was halted, and Amit found herself introduced to the Berlin freelance scene. During her time as a freelancer, Amit had the privilege of working with various choreographers, including Ya’ara Dolev (Batsheva Dance Company), Svea Schneider, and Dina Senhauser. Not long after, Amit was accepted to the “Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater” in Görlitz. After completing her third season with the company, Amit moved to Dresden, where she lives with her partner (and wonderful musician) Thom.