Aviv Shani is a freelance dancer based in Southern California, with a strong foundation in classical ballet technique and performance. She began dancing at the age of four and has trained extensively in ballet, contemporary, and modern dance. Aviv spent many years training with California Dance Theatre and performing with Pacific Festival Ballet, where she has performed in their annual Nutcracker production since the age of six, as well as productions including Cinderella and Noah’s Ark. Aviv continues her ballet training under Ariana Lallone, a former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet for 25 years, with an emphasis on Balanchine technique, and studies modern dance and Martha Graham technique under Deborah Collodel. Her training has also included summer intensives with Boston Ballet, Ballet Austin, Tiler Peck, and Ballet Hispánico’s ChoreoLab Workshop. Her time at Ballet Hispánico was particularly formative, allowing her to explore contemporary, modern, flamenco, salsa, improvisation, and choreography while discovering and developing her own creative and choreographic voice. As an Israeli-American, Aviv takes great pride in her Israeli heritage and Jewish culture. She is thrilled to continue her journey as a dancer and to perform with Keshet Chaim.