Nicolas Zemmour

A committed creator at the service of dance.

Nicolas Zemmour is a Franco-Canadian choreographer, dancer, general director, and artistic director whose work pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance. He trained at the Conservatoire d’Avignon in classical, contemporary, and jazz dance, then at the Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen, specializing in contemporary dance, where he was closely immersed in the world of Tanztheater under Pina Bausch.

As a performer, he danced for seven years with Ballet Preljocaj, participating in numerous significant tours and creations. He also spent a year on exchange with the Bolshoi Theatre as a contemporary soloist for a creation by Angelin Preljocaj, further strengthening his experience on major international stages.

In 2017, he made a decisive shift toward choreography, creating his first international work, La Brisure des Vases, in collaboration with the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, the Ballet National de Marseille, and Les Hivernales d’Avignon. This piece quickly established him on the choreographic scene and marked the beginning of his career as a choreographer.

In 2019, he founded ZemmourBallet in Canada, a company dedicated to developing a new artistic movement, Épaissisme, which emphasizes a dense form of dance where movement, meaning, and emotion merge in an unprecedented depth. This artistic movement was co-founded with ZemmourBallet’s dramaturge, Marc Zemmour. Under his direction, ZemmourBallet has emerged as a major force in the choreographic landscape, producing innovative and thought-provoking works.

Based at the Centre des arts de la scène Jean-Besré (CASJB) in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, the company has developed a true hub for creation and performance. This venue, equipped with a new theater, hosts productions for both general and young audiences, reinforcing cultural accessibility and fostering the development of dance in the Estrie region.

Beyond his creations, Nicolas Zemmour is deeply committed to artistic transmission and community engagement. He is the founder of the Festival de Danse Contemporaine de Sherbrooke, an event that celebrates choreographic diversity and supports artists. He also organizes improvisational dance evenings, providing a space for exploration and exchange between performers and audiences.

Nicolas Zemmour actively contributes to his artistic community. He has served as a jury member for various arts councils and was a board member of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) for two years, as well as the Conseil de la culture de l’Estrie (CCE) for four years. He has also taught classical and contemporary dance at Cégep de Sherbrooke and Bishop’s University, where he has shared his knowledge and inspired the next generation of artists.

As ZemmourBallet continues to grow, it is gaining recognition from major institutions across Europe, the United States, and South America. Committed to an ambitious artistic vision, Nicolas Zemmour strives to build a dialogue between disciplines, artists, and audiences, upholding excellence, accessibility, and integrity as his core values.