Ilima Young-Dunn is new to Iowa Dance Theatre. She was the choreographer for the Hula style piece in Iowa Dance Theatre’s Spring Show 2018 – Every Body Dances.
Ilima began her love of dance at the age of 3, dancing ballet, tap and jazz at Desenberg Studio in Norwalk, Iowa. Her love for movement led her to the University of Iowa where she became a member of the dance troupe Black Genesis and had the privilege of stydying with amazing choreographers such as Kabby Mitchell Jr. After college, Ilima became a member of Mirage Middle Eastern Dance Troupe. In 2000, she began dancing hula and Tahitian dance professionally with Aloha Wind. She has studied with several Kumu Hula instructors from both Hawaii and Tahiti; legendary artists such as Keali’i Reichel, Kuana Torres, and Mark Ho’omalu. Hula is more than a style of dance to Ilima; it’s the life force of the Hawaiian people.