Hip-hop dancer Ariel Tamam (23), who grew up in a small town in Israel, has been building her path in the Los Angeles dance industry in recent years-one of the world’s leading cities for dancers, artists, and performers. After years of training, performing, and hard work, she moved to the United States on an artist visa, recently signed with MTA – The Movement Talent Agency, and is now training and performing alongside some of the industry’s top dancers – choreographers and artists. “From a young age, I was always active – track and field, surfing, horseback riding, and even vocal training, which I started at the age of four. I was always on stage in one way or another, and through singing, I realized that dance was an inseparable part of that expression.”
“Over time, I discovered that dance was much more than just a hobby. It became my language, my safe space, and the way I express myself. I chose to pursue it professionally.”
“I began training at a professional dance studio, a place that felt like home. I was surrounded by dancers who dreamed big and worked hard, which had a huge impact on me. Very quickly, we became a competitive team and started participating in international competitions such as World Dance and HHI, where we placed first.”
“At just 16, I began traveling alone to workshops and camps abroad to learn from the best and connect with the international dance community. I visited Ireland, Poland, London, Bulgaria, and Los Angeles. Every trip had one goal: to grow, improve, and absorb inspiration from dancers and choreographers around the world. It opened my mindset and made me realize how vast this world truly is.”
“During those intense years of chasing my dreams, something happened that changed my life. While I was in Ireland working on a dance video production, I received a phone call informing me that my father had been killed in a car accident. In that moment, everything stopped. For more than six months, I stopped dancing.”
“My father was one of the people who always pushed me to invest in myself and believe in my dreams. Losing him at such a young age was incredibly difficult to process. Over time, I found the strength to return. Dance became my therapy, my escape, and my path toward healing.”
“Throughout my life, I’ve had moments where I stepped away from dance—but I always came back. Because dance is not just a hobby or a profession for me—it’s part of who I am. It’s where I grow, recharge, and rebuild myself.”
“In Israel, I had the opportunity to perform on stage with artists such as international pop singer Noa Kirel, EZ, Tzukush, and Ron Haimov, participate in music videos, and teach dance in various studios and community centers.
During that time, I dedicated nearly two years to obtaining an O-1 Visa for extraordinary ability in the arts, which ultimately allowed me to step into the international dance industry.
In 2023, after completing that process, I made the decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue my dream on a global scale. The transition wasn’t easy—leaving home, family, and everything familiar to move to such a competitive city.
But at the same time, being surrounded by dancers and artists who dream big gives me the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Moving to Los Angeles was one of the most significant steps in my life. Leaving my home country alone at 20 and entering such a competitive environment wasn’t easy. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, alone, and unsure of myself—even questioning whether I truly belonged in this world.
But this was my way of giving myself the biggest opportunity for growth. I live and breathe dance here, surrounded by people who dream as big as I do—and that only fuels my drive. Those challenges made me stronger and more focused. Every obstacle taught me resilience, and every struggle reminded me how much I truly love what I do.
Since moving here, I’ve performed in shows such as Carnival and Jete Club in Los Angeles, participated in music videos, and joined international pop singer Noa Kirel’s U.S. tour, performing in cities including New York, Boston, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, and Los Angeles.
Today, I train at some of the top studios in the city alongside leading dancers and choreographers, including Sean Bankhead, JaQuel Knight, Josh Smith, Marty Kudelka, and Kolanie Marks, who is also one of my close mentors.
Many of these choreographers work with artists such as Chris Brown, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez, and being in that environment constantly inspires me to keep evolving.
Recently, I signed with MTA – The Movement Talent Agency, a highly respected agency, which is a very exciting milestone for me. I’m excited to see what opportunities will come next.
In the next five years, I see myself performing on the biggest stages, going on world tours with top artists like Chris Brown, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. I aspire to be part of international music videos, perform at major award shows like the Grammys and Emmys, and reach every possible peak in the performance world.
At the same time, I want to continue traveling the world through dance—performing, teaching, inspiring others, and experiencing new cultures. Eventually, I also aspire to become a leading choreographer myself, and later on, open my own studio—creating a full-circle moment that began as a childhood dream and becomes a reality that inspires the next generation of dancers to dream big.
In addition, I recently took another step forward in my journey by officially launching my own company, A.T Movement. This platform represents my vision as both a dancer and a creator—focusing on performance, teaching, creative direction, and building a strong community through movement. It’s something I’ve been building with intention, and I’m excited to continue growing it alongside my career in the industry.
Beyond my career, dance is a way of life for me. I don’t just want to dance—I want to inspire. I strive to follow my heart, stay true to my values, and stand for what I believe in. Above all, respect and humanity come first—both in dance and in life.
I truly believe that passion, discipline, and creativity can turn even the hardest moments into fuel for growth. No matter where you come from or what challenges you face—with resilience and belief in your path, you can turn pain into power and dreams into reality.”
