By Steve Sucato

A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Ahna Bonnette began her dance training at Dance Connection Scottsdale. She later taught at and set solo competition dances for the studio. At 18, she attended SUNY Purchase for a year before leaving to explore a career in concert dance. In 2021, she traveled with choreographer Peter Chu, répétiteur Roger Van der Poel and Jenni Gordon to assist them in setting repertoire and host dance intensives at competition dance studios in Texas, Florida, and California. She then spent 5 weeks assisting Chu and Van der Poel in Germany as they set a work on Augsburg Ballet. GroundWorks DanceTheater welcomes Bonnette as a new company dancer for the 2022-2023 season.

When and why did you get into dance?

I started dancing when I was 2-years-old taking tap-ballet combo classes and all that fun stuff. Some of my very first memories are of dance and art. Around twelve I started taking dance to another level. I really began to fall in love with the idea of creating and expressing through movement. Since then it has been the part of my life that I enjoy most. 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Since I first was able to walk, all I wanted to be was a dancer. Little me would be very proud to see who I am today. 

What makes you unique as an artist?

I think what makes me unique as an artist is my openness. I don’t limit dance to anything. I just view it as an open artform and whatever comes out of my mind or a choreographer’s mind is a vision that I want to fulfill. Art is limitless and that’s what I love most about it.

What are you most excited for during your GroundWorks debut season?

This season I am most excited for the time I will get to be on stage with my peers. There’s a special energy on stage that is shared amongst the dancers that I deeply cherish.

What do you want to contribute to GroundWorks?

I hope to contribute positive energy and be a creative inspiration. I also hope to be a positive role model for the community and the youth that we teach. 

Throughout your time as a dancer, who has been the most influential choreographer you have worked with and why?

The choreographer that has impacted me the most is Peter Chu. I started working with Peter when I was about nine years old and have continued to do so over the years. Peter’s creative process and generosity are what inspire me the most. Not only has Peter shaped me as an artist, but as a person as well. 

What are some of your initial impressions of Cleveland?

My initial impressions of Cleveland is that there is a sense of community here that I’m really enjoying. Cleveland really took me by surprise, I didn’t have any expectations coming here and was blown away by how beautiful it is. 

In your bio you say you enjoy music from the 1950s, why and how did your appreciation for that come about?

I remember always liking 50’s music. When I first heard it, it kind of just felt like it fit into who I am. There’s something about the innocence of the music and the heart and soul of the lyrics that really speaks to me.

What is something most people do not know about you?  

Something that most people don’t know about me is that I once auditioned for the TV show Family Feud with my family…it went horribly. 

Wanna Know More? Check out Ahna on Instagram at @ahnabonnette_  & @urban___fashion