Ava LaVonne Vinesett

I am an artist-scholar invested in the relationship between art, cultural movements, and the identifying forces that shape the creation and manifestation of specific dance forms. My work is grounded in the physical articulation of cultural beliefs—a space where I continue to research, choreograph, and perform. Through this practice, I contribute to deepening the living artistry of Black African diaspora dance and its connections to both personal and collective identity.

I constantly reflect on my role in engaging with materials that may be considered intangible cultural heritage. Questions of ownership and authenticity in the presentation of Black African diaspora dance forms, alongside the tensions of choreographing traditional and neo-traditional dances as a means of preservation, continually inform my creative process. Many of the dances I create engage with historical perspectives while also imagining Afro-futuristic possibilities.

Through ongoing projects intentionally woven with ritual, I explore themes of environment, healing, memory, freedom, transformation, and the complexities of “escape” and home. But what are my responsibilities as a dance researcher? Is it ethical to draw from traditional dance forms and ritual practices to create staged works? Does a dance lose its authenticity when placed in a theatrical setting? What defines a work as authentic, inauthentic, or something in between? Who has the authority to decide? These unavoidable tensions surface in every piece I create. Yet, by critically engaging with these complexities, I refine my sensitivity, deepen my respect, and sharpen my awareness of African dance traditions. These concerns shape my choreographic work, my course development, and the research projects I undertake.

My work exists at the intersection of human movement, feminist thought, memory, spirit, imagination, and healing. As an artist, I move through and affect space, shaping an Afro-identified aesthetic that honors lineage while embracing new possibilities. I strive to create works that not only resonate with those who witness them but transform those who experience them. I want the viewer to leave changed in some way, impacted by the depth of what they have seen and felt. My work breathes both the struggles and the magic of lived experience, centering community as an essential force in my creative practice. Understanding that dance carries representational weight, I seek to offer participants and audiences deeper insight into the cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts that ground my artistry.

I am particularly interested in how dance creates and sustains a legacy of resistance. What identities emerge within these danced histories? How do women in Black diasporic dance claim space—intellectually, physically, spiritually, and politically? My choreographic practice is dedicated to tracing these legacies, celebrating the resilience embedded in movement, and honoring dance as a modality of healing. As a mode of praxis, I specialize in the physical articulation of cultural beliefs, investigating the intersections of identity, embodiment, and transformation.