Learning a New Language for Artistic Expression

Q: Inbar, can you begin by telling us a bit about your background in dance?

My love story with dance began in childhood. I trained in rhythmic gymnastics from the age of six, and very quickly my passion for movement grew. As a teenager my week was full of classes—jazz, ballet, hip hop, and anything else I could fit into the schedule. Around the age of twenty-one I decided that I wanted to focus on dance professionally.

I later trained at the Nadin Boomer Dancetheater Academy and continued my development in the program for excellent dancers of the Bat-Sheva Dance Company. Since then I have worked as a performer with companies and choreographers in Israel and Europe, while also developing my own choreographic work. Alongside performing, I teach professional training, workshops, and create multidisciplinary projects that connect dance with visual media and technology.

Q: You are studying from Switzerland, a country with a rich history in visual design. Briefly describe your location.

I live in Switzerland near Zurich, and I find this environment very inspiring. It is not only the cultural scene, but also the natural landscape. Sometimes I am amazed by how precise nature feels here, and how much inspiration can come just from looking out the window.

I believe this strong sense of structure and clarity in the surroundings is connected to the high level of visual design that Switzerland is known for. The atmosphere encourages attention to detail, precision, and simplicity, and I feel this influences my work both in movement and in visual media.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a degree in digital media, and why study online?

In my choreographic work I often imagine projects that go beyond the stage and include video, animation, design, or interactive elements. I realized that in order to fully realize these ideas, I need technical skills in visual media, not only collaborators.

Studying online allows me to continue my career as a dancer and teacher while learning. My schedule changes constantly because of rehearsals, performances, and teaching, so the flexibility of the online program makes it possible to combine both worlds.

Q: In your program so far, what are your favorite classes, projects, or areas of study?

It is hard to choose a favorite, but so far video editing related courses came quite naturally to me, and I enjoy finding my flow in the practice. At the same time, I really appreciate courses that take me into areas I would probably not push myself to explore on my own, such as coding, art history, or animation.

Anywhere I discover something that opens a new channel of thinking is very important for me, and this is one of the main reasons I decided to study digital media.

Q: What parallels do you see between the artistry of dance and digital media?

Both dance and digital media are based on composition in time and space. In choreography I work with bodies, rhythm, and movement, while in digital media I work with images, sound, and editing, but the principles feel very similar.

In both fields, small changes in timing, direction, or framing can completely change the experience of the audience. Because of that, learning digital media feels like learning another language that can express the same artistic ideas.

Q: Have you been able to begin to apply your multimedia skills to the dance world—in class or outside of class?

Yes, very much. I already use my new skills to edit performance videos, design posters, and create visual content for projects and workshops.

I am also interested in developing performances that include projection, animation, or interactive elements, so the studies are directly connected to my artistic work. Even assignments from class often become tools that I later use in real projects.

Q: Many students juggle multiple responsibilities while studying. How do you balance coursework with personal projects or other commitments?

I ask myself this question often. I think discipline in planning is very important. It helps to give deadlines to yourself even when the task has no official deadline. Being in control of your schedule allows you to notice early when something needs to be delayed, so you can reschedule and plan the next steps carefully.

Ideally this is my goal. In reality it sometimes happens more spontaneously, but I work a lot with to-do lists and try to stay organized as much as possible. I also find it important that when things start to feel overwhelming, I take a moment to breathe, reconnect to my body, and continue from the same point with a clearer mind and a more positive approach.

Q: What are your tips for being successful in an online program?

Consistency is the key. It helps to create a routine and treat the study time as something fixed, even when you study from home.

It is also important to stay curious and not do assignments only to finish them. When I connect the exercises to my own artistic interests, I learn much more and stay motivated.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see yourself applying your skills once you graduate?

I see my future work becoming more multidisciplinary. I want to create performances that combine movement, video, design, and digital tools, and also to work with people and companies that I appreciate as a designer or collaborator.

I have already started working with some businesses in Thailand, helping to promote places by creating reels, photos, menus, and visual materials. In the future I would like to continue developing both directions—as a choreographer and as a visual creator—and allow them to influence each other.

To find out more about Inbar Elkayam’s work, follow her at @inbar42 or visit her website at www.inbarelkayam.com. To find out more about our digital courses and programs, visit our digital media hub and our Associate Degree in Digital Media program. Check out our Student Gallery, and schedule a meeting with our Admissions team to find out about our tuition, financial aid, scholarships, and more.