She has won a number of national battles, both individually and with her crew, RSC, and can be seen battling all over the world amongst the top B-boys and B-girls of this generation. Bonita has traveled to Mexico and South America as a member of humanitarian teams, volunteering her time to teach, perform and judge.
Her belief and commitment to the community and volunteer programs will continue to be a high priority throughout her career.
She completed a US tour as well as an Off-Broadway run, performing in their theater production of Groovaloo. Bonita has been teaching professionally for 12 years nationally and internationally. She currently teaches and lectures at colleges, universities, community centers, schools and studios all over the world. She is recognized by her fellow dancers for being extremely diverse as a performer and choreographer.
She has bridged her classic studio training with the culture of hip-hop to produce her unique and dynamic style. She is very thankful for the opportunities she has been blessed with and will continues to share her philosophy and insight into dance everywhere she goes.
Dance Mogul Magazine is honored to uplift another woman in our culture leading the way for the next generation. Dance Mogul: At what age did you develop a passion for dance? Bonita Lovett: I was definitely forced into class in the very beginning, being taken to ballet classes as every young girl is. The more I was exposed to it, the more I learned and the better I got, my passion began to grow.
Dance Mogul: Who were some of your early inspirations? Bonita Lovett: I started dancing at the very young age of 3, taking dance classes at a dance studio in my neighborhood. At that time, my inspirations became the older dancers I saw at the studio as well as my family who was always dancing at our house parties, gatherings, and celebrations.
Dance Mogul: Were your parents supportive of your dancing? Bonita Lovett: My parents have always been extremely supportive of my dancing, which has been an incredible blessing. My parents, as well as my Nana, sacrificed financially to keep me in dance school, allowing me to travel, to compete, to perform and to excel in my art.
They have always been my biggest fans and they remain that until this day! Dance Mogul : How did you develop the discipline to train? Bonita Lovett: I developed the discipline to train in the dance studio, definitely.
I spent hours there every day after school, doing homework, in classes until late hours and waking up to do it all over again. When I began training and really coming into my own as a Bgirl, I approached it the same way, because I was determined to get better. We all gotta start somewhere but the worse feeling is being wack! Dance Mogul: Did you go through any hardship wanting to be a female dancer?
Bonita Lovett: I think before I really dove into the Hip-Hop scene, I had never really faced any hardship being a female dancer because the majority of the dancers in the studio world are female. I would say the hardship is really just that there are not as many girls to connect with but there is also a big advantage with training alongside the B-Boys and being pushed to unimaginable levels.
Dance Mogul: What was the Phoenix Suns experience like? Bonita Lovett: My first professional dance job in AZ was actually dancing for the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad, which was very instrumental because I met a lot of freestyle dancers in the scene. I saw dancers Locking, Popping, Breaking, and just bugging out! I decided to audition and made the team, coming in as the youngest member that year, performing and also choreographing for them.
It really discouraged me and I almost quit. I ended up sticking it out, had a great season, learned a lot and built some great friendships.
Funny thing is, my Dad sees me dancing for the Phoenix Suns, as my biggest dance accomplishment to date! Today, the main source of my inspiration is really my students. Seeing the younger generation of Rock Steady rise up, becoming this monster squad, is very inspiring and they push me to be better every day. YNOT has definitely been a major inspiration of mine and continues to be, as he makes his mark all over the world.
Wiggles because they are my guidance in the game, from dancing to business. I look at them and respect them not only as my crew members, and mentors but dancers who have laid a strong reputation for themselves and continue to do so, successfully. Bonita: There are a lot of differences between the style of a bboy and a bgirl. Of course, the way our bodies are built allows us to rock a different way. I think Bgirls bring a different flavor to the floor that is unique to being a female and we should continue to embrace that and allow that to shine every time we get down.
We are all in this game together and and should been seen as equal. East3: Can you describe your style of Breaking? What makes your style unique? I would say my style is funky, dynamic, and a bit more sporadic these days. What makes my style unique is that I just love to dance period. I love being guided by the music and I love to do what makes my soul feel good.
When I was younger in my Breaking, I was very caught up in the moves and trying to execute everything correctly but thank God that mentally left me many years ago.
I just stay true to what moves me and embrace my history and that has made me the Bgirl I am today. East3: I know you are in the cyphers and well as the competitions, can you break down the the difference between the 2 ways of dancing?
Bonita: Cyphers and competitions are two very different beasts. I believe in balance, and when I first started breaking I was encouraged to have a presence in both cyphers and competitions so I have been getting down in both of them from the beginning.
Like I mentioned earlier, the scene is very heavy in organized competitions and for me I can choose to shy away from them or take it on and attack it. On the style tip, I am not one to judge what anyone is doing or not doing. I just encourage people to continue changing the game with what they can bring to it. Leave those moments alone. I get inspired watching and supporting Bboys, Emcees and DJs and often draw what I see, do you infuse your inspirations into your dance?
Being surrounded by that environment is so important. I cherish those moments because it they are so fulfilling. East3: What is your greatest moment within the culture that you have experienced? Bonita: WOW!
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