Judi started dancing with her husband John in 1993, immediately loving the music, atmosphere and freedom of movement, making some wonderful friendships over those years.
She became increasingly involved firstly as a committee member, then Club President, taking on a teaching role in 2000 which she loves. Judi is so proud that Nirkoda is such an inclusive and welcoming Israeli folk dancing club and looks forward to many happy teaching years ahead, knees permitting!

Denise started dancing in 1989 when she joined some of her friends at an intermediate class. Within weeks she wanted to learn every dance she saw and had a year of dancing 3-4 times per week to build up her repertoire. With her appetite quenched and wanting to be recognisable to her family she cut back to twice a week! She has been teaching since 1997 and with her husband Walter since 2012 for partner dances. It is a dream come true to share her Israeli dancing with him.

Rita has been dancing since the 1980's and during that time she has travelled to New York to add to her Israeli dancing. She attended Hora Keff dance camp and went twice to Los Angeles, California to attend Finjan Dance camp. She has been on a 5 year sabbatical from dancing, however the pull of Israeli music and dance has enticed her back again.

Margaret began Israeli Folk Dancing at U3A in Glen Eira 1996 with a volunteer Nirkoda teacher, and immediately loved it. She joined Nirkoda and eventually undertook the Nirkoda teacher training course and has been a class teacher since 2001. Margaret now dances four times a week. She assists with door entry and membership, has been on committee and teaches to a very dedicated Thursday morning class who adore her. Margaret is also a voluntary tutor in Israeli folk dancing at U3A Glen Eira.

Rosie started dancing in the early 90's after watching some Israeli dancing at a Barmitzvah. It rekindled her love of Folk dancing as a teenager at Habonim. She quickly became addicted to the music, the comradery and special events held at NIRKODA.
After some persuasion she became a teacher and finally joined the committee and held many positions for a number of years. Her focus is to try to create the same passion and love of Israeli dancing to beginners and build a slow and steady repertoire so they can continue to enjoy and grow the many classes offered at the club.

Chris began Israeli dancing in 2009 when she joined one of Nirkoda's "New Beginners" programs and has been hooked ever since. She loves the variety of musical styles and dance steps from traditional 'middle eastern' folk to contemporary. The dances can be measured and graceful, or zany and frenetic, or expressive and dramatic. She likes it all. Chris started teaching at Nirkoda in 2014.