about
Alkhemy
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Na Bonsai is a multi-disciplinary artist, producer, and liberation technologist from Detroit, MI. She imbibes her sonic practice with cultural awareness and a deep commitment to connection. With jazz as an early influence, her musical ancestry is filled with powerful feminine energy across generations, counting artists from Alice Coltrane to Grace Jones to Georgia Anne Muldrow as vital parts of her musical lineage. Gaining momentum from leading the indie-soul band Honey Monsoon, Na Bonsai utilizes composition, beat-making, printmaking, and a host of other mediums as an open invitation to her spiritual practice.
Since 2016, Ana has focused on experimenting with a variety of technologies and instruments, always accompanied by her distinctive voice and often with a creative cast of Detroit musicians including horn and string sections, and vibrant vocal accompaniment. Understanding sound as an extension of herself, she transmutes the intimacy, vulnerability, and empowerment of her day-to-day life into her projects.
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Na recently released an EP, Alkhemy, which is a conceptual future-soul composition intended to illuminate our collective ability to transform our emotions and liberate ourselves. The first song, Black As Lead, is about fearlessly shedding our past selves in order to make room for new energy. Followed by Closer To The Sun, a song about completing cycles by returning to our original selves and oneness. Listen now here!
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You can find Na’s music at nabonsai.com, on spotify, apple music, bandcamp and instagram.
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booking
(248)924-8743
Photographer Credit: Ian J. Solomon
Photographer Credit: SevenFifteen
Photographer Credit: Joe Hendo
Performances
2023
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Illustration Meditation, Andy Arts Center, Detroit, MI
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Nourishment by Midnight Care Collective, Palmer Park Detroit, MI
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Blue Moon Radio, The Gathering, Detroit MI
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The Alkhemy of Awakened Sound, Cranbrook Art Museum
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superNATURAL, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
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Ann Arbor Summer Festival
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Play Beats on Sunday, Paramita Sound, Detroit, MI
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NuBlu with Shugsline, A'Jon, Niyah West, Manhattan NY
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16_lvls, Motor City Street Dance Academy, Southwest Detroit, MI
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SpreadArt SXSW Showcase, Ausin TX
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LGBTQIA Night, North Star Lounge with Dani Darling & Jade Nicole, Ann Arbor, MI
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2022
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Technically, Yeah with People Mover, UFO, Detroit, MI
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Express Your Yes Fest, CultureVerse
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Allied Media Conference Welcome Party, Detroit City Distillery
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Ann Arbor Summer Festival
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The Green Room by Afro Moone, Galerie Camille, Detroit, MI
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Assemble Sound Residency, Detroit, MI
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YES Gala, Michigan Theater
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2021
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SouthWest Fest, Detroit, MI
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FunFest by Fundamental Sound Co., Ypsilanti, MI
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Martianfest, The Liveing Room, Detroit, MI
C/V
Illustration Meditation Immersive Event & Zine November 2023
Illustration Meditation is a framework of wellness practices and a guide for returning to our innate creative energy using breath work, sensory awareness exercises, sonic attunement, meditation, intentional drawing, and creative prompts.
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Neutral Zone Beat Workshop January-April 2023
Facilitated a beat-making workshop with teens at The Neutral Zone and Educate Youth where they learned how to use Maschine, Roland SP404, and DAWS, made beats, and had a beat showcase at the end of the semester.
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The Alkhemy of Awakened Sound August 2023
A digitally illustrated graphic score series with a live performance and interactive screen-printing activity at Cranbrook Art Museum. View the series here.
The Center for Cultural Power - Digital Content Manager 2021-2023
Working in communications for the Oakland-based non-profit organization, from project management, to planning and executing digital arts and justice campaigns, to on-the-ground media coverage for multi-media culture events.
Sound Engineer for The Aunties Film
The Aunties is based on the lives of Black farmers and culture keepers, Paulette Greene and Donna Dear. It also integrates the immense and incredible legacies of Harriet Tubman and Mt. Pleasant Acres Farms. This was my debut into sonic work in film.
FOR US Artist Equity Forum at SXSW April 2023
Organized and moderated a panel discussion with community organizers across the country including Afro Moone, D.Cipher, and United Musicians and Allied Workers.
Alkhemy, EP Release March 2023
Alkhemy is a conceptual future-soul composition intended to illuminate our collective ability to transform our emotions and liberate ourselves.
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Tribu De Trueno Printmaking Residency 2021
Attended the residency in Bariloche, Argentina for a month working on a linocut and screenprinted textile art piece representing the four elements in feminine form.
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Assemble Sound Residency 2021
Participated in the year long Detroit-based music residency focused on songwriting, production, and music-business education.