Sari
Founder / Artistic Director
Sari Uretsky, founder and Artistic Director of the Aviv Israeli Folk Dance Association (AIFDA) and Festival Hatzafon (Festival of the North), began her dance training at the age of four. She trained in disciplines of tap, ballet, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary dance and has performed, taught and choreographed for over twenty years. She began to train in, perform and choreograph Israeli Folk dance in 1999. She has spent the past nine years creating, building and expanding an Israeli dance program in Edmonton Alberta, for dancers of all ages.
Sari began with six dancers in 2006, and has grown her program to include three performing troupes, a recreational folk dance group and a school of Israeli dance. Her performing troupes are showcased at multicultural events in Edmonton and surrounding areas, have traveled to Calgary, Vancouver and Israel to perform and have appeared on CTV, Global TV and Omni TV. Sari has won awards for her choreography and has attended training sessions in Vancouver, Edmonton and Israel. She has worked closely with well-known Israeli dance choreographers such as Shuki and Yaniv Hoffman (Israel) and Roger Weiger (Argentina/Miami).
Sari founded the annual Festival Hatzafon, in 2010, the only Israeli Dance festival in Alberta. Through creative, artistic themes this festival celebrates Israeli heritage, community and connection to the land of Israel. Sari has been the Artistic Director of this festival since its inception. She continues to strive to enhance the festival and her Israeli dance program and to expand its horizons.
Dr. Mintoo Basahti graduated from the University of Alberta School of Dentistry and has maintained a private dental practice for over 30 years.
He has been involved in community service roles with the Rotary Club, Big Brothers & Sisters, parent-teacher school liaison groups and his children’s many sports clubs among others.
Professionally, Mintoo is a Past-President of the Edmonton & District Dental Society as well as Past-President of the U of A Dental Alumni Association. He just recently completed 9 years of service on the governing Councils of the Alberta Dental Association & College and the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta, having served 2 terms as
President as well as Chair of many committees including the Competence Committee, Audit Committee and the Governance and HR Committee.
Currently he sits on the Board and Executive of the National Dental Examination Board as well as being a Board member on the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Philanthropically, Mintoo is committed to the Alberta Dental Foundation and its mission to serve underprivileged Albertans by serving as its current President.
He looks forward to sharing his commitment to open, collaborative and transparent governance with the fantastic leadership team at AIFDA.
In his spare time Mintoo likes to travel, golf and ski.
Mintoo
President 2023/24
Board Members
As a registered society AIFDA follows established bylaws and is run by a Volunteer board.
Natalie, Vice President/Past President
Rebecca, Treasurer
Tanya, Casino Chair
Jenna, Social Media and Engagement
Rachel, Secretary
Aliya, Rikud Rep.
Neomi, Shemesh Rep.
Meirav, Circle Dance Rep.
By June Laine Photography
Are you interested in learning some folk dance steps and meeting new people?
Recreational circle dance is open to all levels!
Do you have dance training or love to perform? Contact us to see if one of our performance groups is a fit for you!
