Bonnie Kim
As we approach the 20th anniversary of Older & Reckless, we shine a light on the senior artists who we are honoured to feature in our celebrations, including the astonishing BONNIE KIM
Bonnie Kim in Danser Joe, O&R 2016- photo by Tamara Romanchuk
Q&A with BONNIE KIM
How has your work in dance affected other aspects of your life?
In many ways, dance has been a pathway back to myself. As a 14 year-old in an arts high school, I thought it was cool that I could dance everyday. That eventually evolved into a need to express myself beyond movement, which led me to writing and a love for all the ways people express themselves - music, food, film, spirituality, art. In these especially unnerving times, these are the ways I find my way back.
Please tell us about a current project that excites you and why.
In the past year or so, I've had a bit of a resurrection of my performing career, which has been quite refreshing and exciting. I last danced with Peter Chin 17 years ago, and now I'm working on his upcoming creation, Trillionth I. After years of working as a teacher/outside eye/rehearsal director/collaborator, it's nice to be in a studio, on a stage and focus on being a dancer again.
What do you consider most challenging as an experienced dance artist?
The most obvious thing is my muscles don't fire the way they used to, and that need to be guarded can feel a bit debilitating. At the same time, I don't put pressure and expectation on myself the way I did when I was younger. I have better perspective in my life and there's a certain kind of freedom in that.
A dance artist for more than 30 years, Bonnie was named one of “Toronto’s top five dancers” by Eye Weekly. Upcoming performing projects include Peter Chin's international Trillionth I, a commissioned piece by Tedd Robinson for O&R’s 20th anniversary and a multi-generational work by Hanna Kiel.
Bonnie is a teacher, mentor, outside eye, and was Rehearsal and Associate Director of Dancemakers for nine years. She trained at Claude Watson School for the Arts and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and performed with Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers, Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault and Claudia Moore among others. She has also assisted and performed in several O&R community projects.
Bonnie’s writing has been published in the Dance Current, Eye Weekly, Toronto Star, Toronto Life and Fall for Dance North program magazine.
