BIOGRAPHY

Zafinoa Hanitriniaina Kezia Jonah (she/her) is a Perfomer, dancer and choreographer originally from Madagascar based in Dakar .

She is a dance artist whose work weaves together creation, performance, and transmission.

She graduated from École des Sables in 2021 and has trained with influential figures such as Nora Chipaumire, Alesandra Seutin, Patrick Acogny and Jonathan burrows.

In 2022, she was awarded the danceWEB scholarship at ImPulsTanz in Vienna, under the mentorship of Wim Vandekeybus and  Nicola Schößler

Kezia is involved in a wide range of artistic collaborations: she appeared in a music video for Senegalese artist Youssou Ndour, assistant choreographer of Alesandra Seutin and Wesley Ruzibiza on the creation Air de Temps, and performed at Chanel’s Métiers d’Art fashion show.

Her first solo, Beloved – oui ou non, a powerful tribute to women who have experienced trauma, was presented in Hahatay (Gandiole), Germany, Madagascar, and received the Solo Newcomer award at SoloDuo Tanzfestival Köln.

She is a recipient of the Prince Claus Seed Fund, and was nominated for the Sanskar Virtual Festival.

Currently, As perfomer Kezia is collaborating with Mouvoir Company and École des Sables on Until the Beginnings, choreographed by Stephanie Thiersch and Alesandra Seutin.

She also works as a choreographer with the Association African Loop for the Mixte Dance & Climat project, with her creation  »Keur » selected for the 2024 Festival #FRAGILE at the Pina Bausch Zentrum and her solo Beloved.

Alongside her artistic practice, Kezia is dedicated to teaching dance to young people in reintegration programs in Dakar.

She also took part in the regional project for the development of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in the Indian Ocean region, participating in a workshop on cultural management held in Mauritius

In 2025, she was awarded first prize in the cultural entrepreneurship competition organized by Association Magg’ando and the British Council, further affirming her commitment to accessible, inclusive, and socially engaged dance.