Samer N. Karaja
Professional Summary
Trainer, choreographer, dancer and entrepreneur. Interested in creating art and alongside agriculture as means of leaving.
Education and Degrees
B.A. Business Administration
Birzeit University, Palestine
2018
Work Experience
Dabke Trainer
2019 - Present
Dabke instructor and trainer responsible for training and choreographing the group's repertoire. Guiding the group on stage and arranging the performances. Trained in villages, refugee camps and cities in Palestine. Trained and choreographed for Handala group in the village of Safa and Laje' group in Bethlehem. In addition to training PAC dabke school in Al Bireh, Friends school in Ramallah also trained in the villages of Arrabeh (Jenin), Biet Ummar, as well as Balata refugee camp, Al Jalazoun and Dhishe refugee camp.
Co-Owner and Co-Manager of Ka2nu Beit Restaurant, Ramallah
2019 - Present
Responsible for running the restaurant and staff. Private business owner and entrepreneur.
Dabke Workshops & Development
2020 - Present
Gave workshops in movement and dabke for groups in Jordan, Switzerland (Zurich and Geneva), New York and Ireland. Trained and developed a workshop for all ages and experiences to learn and discuss dabke.
Trainer & Choreographer, El-Funoun Dance Troupe
2018 - Present
One of the choreographers for El-Funoun Dance Troupe, trainer for the young group, Bara'em El-Funoun and also a main dancer. Participated in the Troupe's main repertoires performing locally and internationally, as well as participating in international residencies in Lebanon and Ireland.
International Performer
2019 - Present
Performed with El-Funoun in its experimental contemporary production "The Rooster" that toured in Ireland, Scotland, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. Also danced in productions with the Irish artists Dr. Rionach, Ni.Niel.
Working Member of Partnership Youth Forum
2019 - Present
An agricultural initiative forum for Palestinians working in agriculture. Managing Al Ya'is farm and creating opportunities for jobs in agriculture.
Volunteer Work & Membership
Dancer, Member El-Funoun Popular Dance Troupe
January 2006 - Current
Actively contribute to the leading Palestinian dance company, promoting Palestinian culture and artistic expression.
Member of Handala youth centre, Saffa village.
Member of Partnership Youth Forum.
Workshops & Training Attended
Irish Dance workshop in Dublin and Galway 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
Interned and trained at the Palestinian museum on the archiving project.
Established and developed Al Ya'es Farm in Saffa.
Skills
Farming and agriculture
Dancing and training
Management and leadership
References
References will be given upon request