Tabula Rasa, First Movement (1986) Ohad Naharin’s choreography is noted for its movement quality and technical difficulty. Tabula Rasa, meaning "clean slate," is a striking blend of powerful expression and serenity. In working with Naharin, Hubbard Street dancers developed a bond with the choreographer that allowed for a seemingly effortless rehearsal process. The result is piece for ten dancers executed with smoothness while underscored by Pärt’s textured melodic haze.

Ohad Naharin was born in Israel and began his training as a dancer with Batsheva Dance Company and continued his studies at Julliard. He has danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Bejart Ballet, and the Nederlands Dance Theater. In 1990, Naharin became Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company and created KYR, a full-length work commissioned by the Israel Festival in Jerusalem for which he composed the music with Israeli rock group The Tractor's Revenge. KYR was the first landmark production in the succession of pieces which gave birth to the "new" Batsheva – bold, sweeping, and physically sensual. Naharin’s work is also in the repertoire of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Cullberg Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Le Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve, Compania Nacional de Danzade Madrid, and Opèra National de Paris.