Rafael Bonachela

 

Rafael Bonachela was born in Barcelona where he began his early dance training before moving to London, Rambert Dance Company in 1992. He remained with Rambert as a dancer and associate choreographer until 2006 at which time he successfully set up the Bonachela Dance Company (BDC) to concentrate on the rapid rise of his choreographic career.

In 2008, Rafael premiered his first full-length production named 360° for Sydney Dance Company. Less than six months later he was appointed the Artistic Director making headlines around the dance world. His vision for the company embraces a guiding principle that has seen the repertoire grow with addition of commissioned dance works from Australian and visiting international guest choreographers. The premiere works are often programmed alongside Rafael's own creations, ensuring diversity for audiences and providing much sought after opportunities for his remarkable ensemble of dancers to be exposed to the work of some the most in-demand choreographers of our time. Rafael Bonachela's internationally recognised talent has seen him work not only with contemporary dance artists but also with artists from popular cultures.

As a choreographer, Rafael has been commissioned to make works for Candoco, George Piper Dances, IT DANSA, Transitions Dance Company and Dance Works Rotterdam amongst others. Rafael Bonachela has worked with Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Sarah Blasko and Katie Noonan as well as leading fashion designers Dion Lee and Toni Maticevski. Such collaborative efforts reflect the inspiration he finds and utilises from culture today. As a dancer, Rafael has performed in works by many of the world's leading choreographers such as, Merce Cunningham, Richard Alston, Christopher Bruce, Siobhan Davies, Jiri Kylian, Twyla Tharp, Maks Ek, Wayne Mcgregor, Mark Baldwin and many more.

Rafael Bonachela describes himself as a 'movement junkie' and the exploration and experimentation of pure movement is his motivation. In addition to his own movement vocabulary, he finds inspiration in the visual arts and popular culture, which gives his work a distinctive style. He is a choreographer committed to innovation, which is very inspiring for today's generation because the dance industry is expanding every minute and being innovative is something that stand you apart from the rest and innovation is treasure to keep these days.

 

Emmeline Cresswell, our choreographer for the second performance project (Flying and Falling) is hugely inspired by Rafael Bonachela's distinctive  and innovative movement style.