Machol Maryland 2026 Staff
Yaron Malihi
Yaron Malihi was born in Hadera and grew up in the Beit Eliezer neighborhood. He started dancing at school at age 9 with Meir Shem Tov. He started choreographing in 1995 with partner dances Ahava Rishona and Bein Arbayim. The melodies and rhythms of Israeli music motivate him to continue creating both circle and partner masterpieces. Moshe Eskayo was one of Yaron’s greatest Israeli dance influences. When not choreographing, Yaron is an actively involved in the Israel Bicycle Association and is also a party DJ. Yaron has infectious high energy and is friendly and outgoing. He choreographed dances such as Al Salsalim, Metukim, Halailah Yesh Chagigah, Chatan Bar Mitzvah, Zman Pitziot, Farha Farha, Tirkod Kmo Halev Shelcha, Ksheat Rokedet, and many more.
Yaron is married and has two children.
This will be Yaron’s first time at Machol Maryland! Welcome Yaron!
See Yaron’s dances here
Elad Shtamer
Elad was born in Haifa and raised in Kiryat Tivon. He has been dancing for 36 years, since the age of 5. He currently lives in Toronto with his family, and runs a weekly session every Wednesday.
He started choreographing for fun, got excited about it and kept creating. His two greatest influences are his father, as a teacher, and Barry Avidan, as a choreographer. In 2011 he won first prize at the Karmiel dance competition, and later also won third place in 2013.
Elad is an incredible multi-talented Israeli dance choreographer. Not only is he an amazing dancer, teacher, and choreographer, but he also plays guitar and sings.
This will be Elad’s first time at Machol Maryland! Welcome Elad!
See Elad’s dances here
Michael Barzelai
Michael Barzelai is a master choreographer, hit maker, and all around nice guy! He knows a TON of dances and happily entertains everyone on the dance floor. He was born and raised in Haifa and has been dancing since he was 8 years old. His first claim to fame is the dance La Trompeta, created in 2015. He started choreographing because of his love for dance and the opportunity he was given by the first dance camp that invited him - Gvanim. From then his choreographies have been hits over and over again. He’s truly unstoppable!
Dede Luski was one of his mentors when he was a child. Dede pushed Michael to do more than just dancing. Thank you Dede!
This will be Michael’s second time at Machol Maryland and we are excited to welcome him back!
See Michael’s dances here
Carina Saslavsky
Carina Saslvasky aka the “Las Ketchup (Asereje) choreographer” is joining from Mexico City!
Carina visited Maryland back in January 2011 - it has been TOO long! Back in 2011 she taught: Candela, Carnavalera, No Pares de Sudar, Chikitan, Asi es la Vida, Chaleo, and Verano. We will dance all of these with her and more!
Carina was born in Argentina and has lived in Mexico since she was 4 years old. She started ballet at age 6. She used to run a session about 10 years ago, but prefers dancing to running a session. Once in a while she teaches at sessions.
Carina started choreographing when she worked with high school kids in the late 90s and then Moshe Eskayo let her teach a dance at Hora Keff. Her biggest influence is Albertito Zirlinger, who taught her how to dance rikudim and encourages her to do what she loves so much.
This is Carina’s first time at Machol Maryland! Welcome Carina!
See Carina’s dances here
Yaron Carmel
Yaron Carmel was born and raised in Zichron Yaacov, a small town between Haifa and Tel Aviv. He has been dancing since 1984 (41 years); since the age of 10.
Currently Yaron runs six weekly sessions, in addition to special events such as “Saturday Couples,” “Nostalgia Nights,” and “Special Circle Dances Evenings”. He also runs Saturday sessions in Herzliya, Netanya, Haifa, Hadera, and other locations.
Yaron’s greatest influence is Gadi Bitton, with whom he has shared a relationship of more than thirty years, both professionally and personally. Their friendship has given him strength, inspiration, ideas, and—most importantly—helped make many dreams come true. Thank you Gadi!
This is Yaron’s third year at Machol Maryland! What a trooper!
See Yaron’s dances here
Alberto Zirlinger
Alberto was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At age 23, he moved to Mexico. He has been dancing for more than 40 years, since he was 15 years old. He started as a choreographer for the stage, using folk dances as a technique. Then the Latin line dancing emerged to motivate teenagers to get closer to Israeli movement.
His line dance choreographies are hits - La Ventanita, Regalo, Oye Salsa, Mi Shemabit, No Pares De Sudar, Kimbara, and more.
Dancing with Alberto and Carina together can’t be beat!
This is Alberto’s first time at Machol Maryland! Welcome Alberto!
See Alberto’s dances here