We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aviv Keren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aviv below.
Aviv, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
Personally, I’ve experienced burnouts several times.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve worked very consistently without breaks — which, on one hand, I’m grateful for, and I’ve had the chance to do things I never dreamed of doing — but on the other hand, dance is probably the most demanding profession there is.
For years, I’d be in rehearsals in the morning, teaching kids and teens in the afternoon, choreographing competition routines for them, and then performing on stage in the evening.
No breaks, no rest — every day packed with tasks and projects.
I’ve learned that what helps me most is not to panic — to take a deep breath and accept the situation.
If you’re in a position where you can take a break and breathe — great. And if not, you have to remember that you know what you’re doing, you’re good at what you do, and you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel.
Sometimes you just need to trust yourself and let all the knowledge and experience take the reins for a moment — to believe blindly in the path you’ve walked.
I feel that once the pressure is taken out of the equation and you manage to relax, everything just flows naturally.
The urge to create comes back in an authentic and natural way, and the most beautiful things come after burnouts — at least in my personal opinion.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Im Aviv Keren, Im 26 and Im a professional dancer and dance teacher from Israel.
Ive started my dance journey at 9 when a friend took me with him to try latin ballroom dance,
I had trained in latin ballroom dance for 3 year and loved it, but ended up quitting because I was getting teased a lot.
At 13, my friends made me go with them to try a Hiphop class. I really didn’t want to join them and it took the entire school day for them to convince me to go, but they did. long story short I was the only one who finished that year in the studio, and from that point on it was game over me, I was hooked.
I started both teaching and working in the industry by 16, and never stopped since.
Through out my career Ive got to work with Israels best artists, on the biggest shows and stages across the country. from touring cross country with various artists and shows, to working on TV shows like Masked singer, Next star for the Eurovision and more.
Ive trained around the world with the biggest names in the dance industry. From London, Paris, Poland, Ireland, Bulgaria, Netherlands to the US.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
– I’m a very honest and straightforward person — it’s something deeply rooted in Israeli culture, but also strongly shaped by the home I grew up in.
In my family, we’ve always said exactly what we think or feel, without trying to soften or sugarcoat it. We call things as they are.
My parents were deeply involved in our lives and always encouraged open, respectful, and honest communication.
– I genuinely love taking care of the people I love. I’m selective about who I keep close — I’m outgoing and friendly, but I don’t let just anyone into my inner circle.
But once you’re in, I’m all in. I’ll be there for you in any way I can.
– I know how to take criticism. Growing up in a very open and very direct family taught me to accept feedback from those around me.
The studio where I was raised and trained was also very open, honest, and straightforward.
They always made sure to say things as they were, without trying to sugarcoat anything.
In the profession I’m in, learning to accept and apply criticism is one of the most important things.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
What taught me to overcome obstacles, without a doubt, was learning to ask for help.
I’m a very driven person — I like to achieve things on my own and for myself — but everyone needs a little help sometimes.
Whether it’s a supportive shoulder, a listening ear, or anything else,
asking for help brings relief, lightens the load, and offers a clearer understanding of the situation.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Lee Gumbs
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