Rafael Bonachela

Rafael Bonachela is the Artistic Director and resident choreographer for Sydney Dance Company. 

Bonachela began his early dance training in Barcelona and was a member of the legendary Rambert Dance Company, both as a dancer and Associate Choreographer. He established the Bonachela Dance Company (BDC) in 2006 and was a resident artist at the Southbank Centre in London. 

He has been in his position at Sydney Dance Company since 2009 and has created over 20 works for Sydney Dance Company’s repertory. He has also remounted repertory from Bonachela Dance Company and commissioned Australian and international choreographers to create original works for the company. 

As a choreographer, he has been commissioned to make works for Candoco, George Piper Dances, ITDANSA, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company and Dance Works Rotterdam amongst others. In September 2019, Bonachela’s ab [intra] was performed by two Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles for the prestigious 350th Anniversary Opening Gala. 

He has won multiple awards both within Australia and internationally. In 2015, Frame of Mind won the Helpmann Awards for ‘Best Choreography’ and ‘Best Dance Work’. His work 2 One Another won the ‘Best Ensemble’ Award in the 2012 Green Room Awards and the 2013 Australian Dance Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’ and ‘Outstanding Performance by a Company’. In February 2013, Bonachela was honoured with an Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit by His Majesty the King of Spain.