Tonya Pennie believes in the power of dance to unite community, heal historical trauma, and raise body as voice to a transcendent communal artform. She is a leader in West African dance, having created large and small community events to share the tradition.

She is the founder and director of Dance Africa Fest in Austin, TX, which provides the opportunity for Central Texas communities to experience, explore and engage in music and movement of the African/Black diaspora. Her vision, professionalism, and playfulness - synergistically create magic in ways that delight, inspire and heal audiences. Pennie leads West African dance classes and intensives across Central Texas. 

She is the Managing Director of, and a performer in, Lannaya Drum & Dance, an ensemble dedicated to the engagement of authentic and progressive interpretations of West African and African diasporic rhythms. Formerly choreographer and Associate Member of Generic Ensemble Company (GenEnCo), which makes the invisible visible through bold, socially relevant, body-centered theatre.

As a nonprofit consultant, Pennie is a one-person development shop for organizations of all sizes and disciplines. She has served as Development Manager for Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, Grants and Technical Assistance Coordinator for the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County, and Grant Coordinator for the Bullock Texas State History Museum. From 2000 - 2024 she supported Houston International Dance Coalition’s Dance Salad Festival as Company Coordinator, serving as annual liaison for 100 international, national artists and production crew members.

Under her leadership, a selection of Dance Africa Fest’s awards include City of Austin Cultural Arts Division 2016 - 2022 Cultural Heritage Festival Program grants (no longer offered); City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division THRIVE grant, 2023-2024; City of Austin's Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment THRIVE grant, 2025-2026. Tonya is a recipient of a 2018 Capacity Building grant to support professional development; a 2016 Bread for the Journey grant; and a 2024 MAP Fund Microgrant award. She holds a BA in Telecommunications from Texas Southern University, and Certification in American Sign Language Studies through Austin Community College’s Interpreter Preparation Program.