Today we’d like to introduce you to Eden Shabtai.
Originally from a kibbutz in the northern part of Israel, Eden began her training in ballet and modern dance at the age of seven. At the time, formal Hip-Hop training didn’t exist in Israel, so her only way to learn was from watching MTV. Always determined and passionate about dance, she set her goals high and decided that after the Army she would move to New York City, train in Hip-Hop and “be on MTV”. At the age of 16, she left home and moved to a special dance school. After serving in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), Eden decided to travel abroad to India before making her dream come true. After the six months trip to India, Eden knew it was time to do what she always wanted to do, so she moved to New York City (NYC) to make her dreams a reality.
Eden began taking classes at the Broadway Dance Center, from some of NYC’s best choreographers/instructors. A short time later she began to teach kids age 4-11, having over 150 students, all while building her resume as a choreographer for a few up and coming signed artists. After a few years, Eden decided that her true chance at achieving the career she wanted would require a move to Los Angeles, California, so in January 2010, she relocated there. Since her arrival to Hollywood, Eden has worked on networks such as NBC, ABC, BET, CBS, VH1, CW, and even MTV. She has worked on several nationally televised shows, including the Video Music Awards, The Grammys, Billboards Awards, Dancing With The Stars, I Heart Festival, iHeart Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, X-Factor, The Today Show, MTV Crashes, Wango Tango, The Ellen Show, James Corden, The Soul Man, American Idol, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Jingle Ball, Chatty Man and choreographed advertisements for major companies such as Hasbro, Office Max, Office Depot, HEB and Clark’s. Eden also has worked with artists such as Chris Brown, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Pit-Bull, Ava Max, Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Jay Sean, Marc Anthony, Tyga, Flo-Rida, Brandy, Omarion, Miguel, Pia Mia, Litle Mix, Sevyn Streeter, No Doubt, Snoop Dogg, kehlani, Katy Tiz, Janelle Monae, Fleur East, Pryianka Chopra, Machine Gun Kelly, Tinashe, Jeremih, Austin Mahone, Wiz Kid, Ester Dean, Serayah, D.J. Snake, D.J. Hardwell, YungBlud, Jack&Jack and many more.
On March 2017-Sep 2017, Eden was a Judge/Mentor on a new Israeli dance show and was the winning Mentor.
Today, Eden works as a Choreographer, Artistic Director, Artist Developer and Artist Consultant who is very versatile and believes that with hard work and a will everything can happen and the phrase: “There is nothing better than seeing your visions and dreams come to life” applies just as much to the creative process and fulfillment of choreography as it does to the life journey of this little girl from a kibbutz.
Has it been a smooth road?
My road was definitely not easy.
Start with the fact I came to the U.S. with no working visa. The process was long and frustrating. I came to work as a dancer but couldn’t because of that.
It took me a long time to figure out my path. The entertainment business is the hardest industry in my opinion so to be from a different country and have a different language on top was ruff.
With all that being said, I still believed that I can make it happen and I can live the life I always dreamed about.
I always say it’s all about how bad do you want it. How much you really believe you can do it! No matter what other people say or think! It’s all up to us.
I believe when you work hard for something and no matter how many “No’s” you hear (and I’ve heard endless amount), when you keep going and not giving up, you’ll get the pleasure and the best feeling in the world to experience your dreams become your reality.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an artistic director/choreographer/movement coach for recording artists, TV and movies.
I think a lot of people have cool moves but what I bring to the table is versatile movement, I work a lot with the way humans thinks, a lot of mind work and I do my job with a lot of love. We miss a lot of love around us. I want life to be fun and for people to share their talent with each other.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I think the biggest barrier would be the fact WE as woman don’t understand our power yet!!! It is getting better though!
In a second, WE (women) will really understand that nothing and nobody can stop us, the great things that will happen in the world will be mind blowing! The world is already ran by women, some sees it, some don’t. Yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: Edenshabtai.com
- Instagram: @Theedengarden
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