Jonnesha

Hawkins-Minter

Jonnesha Hawkins-Minter is a native of OKC, OK. She began her dance training at the age of 11 at Classen School of Advanced Studies and Performing arts in 1994, studying modern dance, ballet and other forms of dance. She graduated from Classen SAS in May 2001. In high school she spent 2 summers studying modern dance at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and in 2000 performed with the world renowned African American Dance Ensemble. Jonnesha then went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma in May 2005 with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Performance.

It was there that she studied with renowned choreographers and teachers such as, Denise Vail of the Martha Graham Dance Company), Austin Hartel (Pilobolous Dance Theatre), Brian Brooks and Derick Minter (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre), and Sonia Dawkins Artistic director of SD Prism Dance Company. She also studied at the American Dance Festival and worked with choreographers, Ronald K. Brown Artistic Director of Evidence Dance Company and Nicholas Leichter Artistic Director of Nicholas Leichter Dance.

After graduating, she became a member of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 under the direction of Shonna Hickman-Matlock. Jonnesha also taught at their training school, Jeraldyne’s School of Dance and taught with Muse Machine in the Dayton Public School District.

After her journey in Ohio she then became a member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company for their June 2006 – December 2007 season. Jonnesha has also performed in a Drapers Desirability of babies project in March 2007. She has also performed in numerous projects with choreographer John Stronks. Jonnesha joined Psophonia Dance Company in summer 2007 until summer 2010. She then joined Urban Souls Dance Company Fall 2010 until summer 2012. She served as rehearsal director for Urban Souls 2012-13 season. She recently received her Yoga Certification in fall 2020 and is currently in year three of Dunham Modern Dance Certification training.

In May 2008, Jonnesha decided to start her own youth dance company, TopFlight Dance Company and in Fall 2011 opened TopFlight Dance Center to serve as home/training facility for her company dancers as well as offering dance classes for youth in many genres and skill levels.

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