ABOUT US
Jona Dance was founded in 2019 by artist and creative Monique Jonas.
It was created as means of providing a platform for silenced voices to be heard through contemporary dance within the UK.
Here at Jona, we believe that art is created by the people, for the people; so we intend on creating work that is inclusive and accessible to more than just a select few.
We pride ourselves on valuing and uplifting artists as we recognise that we are more than just dancers and creatives!
We hope to channel that authenticity into all the work that we do.
We are here to promote the inclusivity of experiences through art by offering alternative narratives, boosting visibility and understanding the impact of positive representation in dance!
Jona Dance want to use art as a reminder for artists to harvest the very essences that makes us who we are. Let's celebrate our differences!
"Art helps us identify with one another and expands our notion of we-from the local to the global." Olafur Eliasson
"The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke." Jerzy Kosinski
CURRENT PROJECTS
What we are working on
CHECKMATE
SKIN DEEP
ONLINE
TOH-KUHN
LIVE PERFORMANCE
A short film commissioned by New Adventures which follows the journey of a seemingly unassuming protagonist as he journeys through his shadows.
Duration: 8 minutes
Choreography and co-direction by: Monique Jonas
Featuring: Ihsaan De Banya and Rhys Dennis
Produced by: New Adventures
Filmed and Edited by : Tea Films
A new media project created to encourage positive representation within the arts in the UK.
Through a series of videos, interviews and photoshoots, Project Skin Deep is here to boost visibility within contemporary dance.
It's here to encourage authentic representation, whilst encouraging the empowerment of the individual artist. It's here to show that art is more than just skin deep.
Toh-Kuhn is anecdotal and honest; it brings light to the voices of the deliberately silenced. A muscular interpretation of what it means to be seen and not heard. A gentle reminder to find more than just a whisper amongst the crowds.
Duration: 18 Minutes
Choreographer: Monique Jonas
Performers: Ihsaan De Banya, Imogen Alvares, Monique Jonas
Lighting Design: Joshua Harriette
YOUNG KING
Movement Direction by : Monique Jonas
Director: Edem Wornoo
McNasty Productions
Producer/ poet: Jess Mally
Producer: Renee Ingram
DOP: Will Chamberlin
OTHER WORK
COSIMA
2019
Close To You Music Video
Movement direction and 1-1- movement coaching
TOH-KUHN
2020
Resolution Dance Festival
The company's first creation and live performance. This trio focuses on the idea of what home is, and offers the dancers experiences on what it feels like to be seen but not heard.
BLACK WHOLE
2020
Gallery Commission
A solo exploring the black hole of experiences surrounding mental health.
"I was given this life because I am strong enough to live it!"
MEET THE TEAM
MONIQUE JONAS
Artistic Director/Choreographer
Monique began dancing with the Chance to Dance programme before training at the Arts Educational Schools London in musical theatre and jazz dance. She completed her training at the Rambert School. Upon graduating, Monique has worked with Rambert Dance Company-A Linha Curva and Garsington Opera, Sally Marie, Hubert Essakow, Kim Brandstrup, Arcade Fire, Theo Adams Company and Chris Thomas Dance to name a few. She joined Mathew Bourne’s New Adventures for the creation and UK tour of Romeo and Juliet. Alongside this Monique has worked with Richard Alston Dance Company since 2016 and finished with the company this year.
IHSAAN DE BANYA
Dancer/ Creative
Ihsaan was born in London and trained at The Place as part of its youth dance programs, Shift and CAT. Following this, he then went on to train at London Contemporary Dance School. During his time as a student, he danced work by Jose Agudo, Tom Dale and Theo Clinkard amongst others. Once graduated, Ihsaan danced with Richard Alston Dance Company for 5 years, performing numerous works by Alston and Martin Lawrance nationally and internationally, he was also commissioned to make work for the company's 2014 At Home Season. Ihsaan has also performed work by Trisha Okenewa, Renaud Wiser, James Wilton Dance, Tavaziva Dance and Clod Ensemble. Ihsaan is passionate about youth dance, and is currently the Rehearsal Director for Shuffle Youth Dance Company, and a teacher on The Place CAT.
IMOGEN ALVARES
Dancer/ Creative
Born in London, Imogen was raised in a musical household with both her parents being classical musicians. Since graduating from Rambert School, Imogen has worked with and performed pieces by Sharon Eyal, Ohad Naharin, and Benoit Swan Pouffer as part of Rambert2. Most recently she joined Michael Keegan-Dolan’s company Teac Damsa for the creation process and performances of MÁM. She has also previously worked with Didy Veldman, Mark Baldwin, Darren Ellis and for Chrysalis London and is currently working on her Masters degree.
JOSHUA HARRIETTE
Dancer/Lighting designer
Joshua is a Lighting Designer, collaborating within the field of dance.
He is interested in creating a visual mood and environment. Sensitively giving space, allowing ambiguity, manipulation and heightening the use of all senses. Joshua has had the opportunity to design lights and collaborate with Mark Baldwin, Julie Cunningham, Kerry Nichols, Arielle Smith, Fraser Buchanan, Richard Chappell Dance, Mthuthuzeli November, to name a few. These projects have ranged from, large-scale works at Sadler’s Wells to small-bespoke performance settings. As a dancer, Joshua has worked with companies; Michael Clark, Richard Alston, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Ballet Black & INALA. Along side company work, he has also modelled for Diesel, Gucci, Asos, Alexander McQueen, Puma, BBC Arts, Pringle of Scotland, as well as been featured in various fashion publications.
TOH-KUHN REVIEWS
"...beautifully atmospheric staging for Jonas's subtly biting Toh-Kuhn."