Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Tamam.
Hi ariel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi my name is Ariel Tamam, an international hip-hop dancer and performer.
I am 22 years old and originally from Emek Hefer in Israel.
Today, I live in Los Angeles, California, where I moved to pursue and fulfill my dance career.
From a very young age, performance and movement were an inseparable part of me. I grew up in
Israel, surrounded by creativity and athletics – from singing, vocal training, and theater, to horseback
riding, surfing, and track and field.
By the age of 6, I was already on stage, and I quickly realized that dance was not just a hobby but the
true passion that lit a fire inside me. Dance became my language, my safe place, and ultimately, my
profession..
My journey became serious when I joined Urban Place Netanya, a leading dance hub in Israel.
Surrounded by talented dancers chasing their dreams, I found a home that constantly pushed me to
grow. Soon after, I began competing with my crew at World Dance events and Hip Hop International
(HHI), bringing home first-place titles.
At 16, I started traveling alone to international dance camps and workshops across the world – London,
Bulgaria, Poland, Ireland, and eventually Los Angeles – to learn from the best and connect with the
global dance community.
At the height of my journey, tragedy struck when my father was killed in a car accident. During that
time, I stopped dancing completely. My father had always been a huge part of my growth – constantly
encouraging me to invest in myself and push toward my dreams – and losing him left a deep void in my
life.
After a year ,eventually, I found my strength again. Dance healed me, rebuilt me, and gave me life when
everything felt broken.
After the COVID-19 period, I returned to the stage, performing with leading Israeli artists like Noa
Kirel, EZ and more. I also taught in various studios and community centers, shaping the next
generation of dancers.
In 2023, I made the life-changing move to Los Angeles to pursue my dream on an international scale.
Within two years, I had the privilege of performing on some of the biggest U.S. stages – including
Carnival and Jete Club – and most notably, touring with Noa Kirel in New York, Boston, New Jersey,
Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles.
Today, I train daily in LA’s top studios with world-renowned choreographers such as Kolanie Marks, Sean Bankhead, JaQuel Knight, Josh Smith, and Marty Kudelka—artists who work closely with icons like Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna. Learning from them continues to shape my growth and inspire me to aim higher.
My ultimate goal is to perform on the world’s biggest stages and music videos, to tour internationally
with major artists, and to appear at global award shows such as the Grammys and the Emmys.
Equally, I aspire to become one of the leading choreographers in the world – teaching, inspiring, and
creating for the next generation of dancers. Within the next five years, I see myself performing with
artists like Chris Brown and Beyoncé, while also building my own dance studio that will serve as a hub of inspiration for dancers who dare to dream big.
Dance is not just my career , it is my mission to show others that resilience, passion, and creativity can turn pain into power and dreams into reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all , my road has been anything but smooth, but every challenge has shaped me into who I am today. One of the hardest moments was losing my father in a car accident right in the middle of my journey. I was in the middle of filming a dance clip in Ireland when I got the phone call, and I had to fly back to Israel immediately. It felt like my entire world collapsed in one moment, and I couldn’t imagine dancing again without him cheering me on.
Slowly, I found my way back. Dance became my therapy ,it healed me, gave me strength, and reminded me why I started in the first place.
Another challenge was moving to Los Angeles completely on my own. Leaving my mom and little brothers behind was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The dance industry here is incredibly competitive, and it can be overwhelming to find your place. There were times when I felt isolated, unsure, and questioned whether I belonged.
Yet those struggles made me tougher and more focused. Every setback taught me resilience, and every obstacle reminded me how much I truly love what I do. Without those difficult moments, I wouldn’t have the same fire and appreciation for every opportunity I have today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional hip-hop dancer and performer, specializing in both commercial and stage work. My style blends sharp hip-hop foundations with a strong sense of performance, musicality, and storytelling , a combination that allows me to bring energy and emotion to every stage I step on.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of performing on major stages in Israel, and touring with Israeli pop star Noa Kirel. I’m most proud of being able to represent my roots internationally, showing that a girl from a small town in Israel can stand on the biggest stages in the world.
For many years in Israel, I also taught hip-hop in studios and community centers, helping shape young dancers and watching them grow not only in skill but also in confidence. Teaching has always been a huge passion of mine, and here in Los Angeles I aim to continue sharing my knowledge and eventually create a space where dancers feel inspired and supported.
What sets me apart is not just my technique, but my mindset. Dance isn’t just movement for me , it’s a way to connect with people and tell a story. I’ve been through personal loss and major challenges, and I bring that resilience , raw emotion and authenticity into my performance.
I’m also proud of being known for my work ethic. I train daily with some of the top choreographers in the industry and constantly push myself to grow. Beyond performing, I see teaching as an equally important part of my journey ,a chance to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of dancers.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want to dance, I want to inspire. I will always follow my heart, stay true to the values I was raised with, and hold on to what I believe in. Above all, respect and being human come first ,in dance and in any profession. My mission is to show that no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face, with resilience and passion you can turn your dreams into reality.
How do you think about luck?
One of my greatest strokes of good luck was the spontaneous decision I made to move to Los Angeles. In December 2023, within just a month of making the choice, I booked a ticket and flew out here. Since then, I’ve been living my dream and pursuing the passion I had since childhood. I don’t take it for granted leaving everything behind and starting over in a new country is not an easy decision, and I see that leap of faith as both luck and courage combined.
I also believe luck has played a role in opening certain doors for me. Meeting the right choreographer at the right moment or being invited to perform on a big stage definitely felt like good luck. But I also know that luck only matters if you’re prepared for it. I train every single day so that when those moments come, I’m ready to step into them fully.
On the other hand, I’ve also faced what many would call “bad luck.” Losing my father so suddenly was the hardest moment of my life, and it changed everything for me. At the time it felt like the worst kind of luck, but eventually I learned to see it differently,it gave me strength, resilience, and a deeper connection to dance. I carry him with me always, knowing he’s by my side, and I’m certain he would want me to keep pushing myself forward, just as he always pushed me.
So for me, luck is a small part of the journey, but it’s not the defining factor. What defines me is my ability to take whatever life brings good or bad and turn it into fuel for my art and my growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arieltamam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arieli17
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013749857684
- LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/ariel.tamam17
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ariel_tamam
Image Credits
Photographer: Alissa rose borough
Make up artist: Jocelyn Johnson
Hair Stylist: Dee Zerve
Stylist : Noa Morchi
