In Sherbrooke, ZemmourBallet was founded by Nicolas Zemmour as a private charitable foundation recognized in Canada. Established on October 19, 2019, the company quickly became a major player in dance by 2020, with a mission to create and present innovative choreographic works.

With a clear and bold vision, Nicolas Zemmour aimed not only to develop his own creations but also to provide a platform for other choreographers. ZemmourBallet is committed to enriching the artistic scene through original productions and diverse collaborations.

Based in Estrie, the company actively promotes dance locally and internationally, emphasizing artistic excellence and innovation.

• MANDATE
  Our goal is to create and present dance performances that are rich and accessible to the general public, and to support the development of dance in Estrie through services offered to artists.

• MISSION
  Through the creation and presentation of dance performances, as well as our activities, we develop “thick” dance composed of forms, meaning, and emotions.

• VISION
  Our vision is to become a leader in innovation and excellence in dance, offering unique artistic experiences that touch both the hearts and minds of audiences.

• VALUES
  Excellence – Integrity – Accessibility

• STATUS
  Private Foundation: charitable organization in Canada
  Permanent Resident Company at the Centre des Arts de la Scène Jean-Besré
  Cultural Organization recognized by the City of Sherbrooke

• The company is a member of:
  RQD
  DSR
  REFRAIN
  CCE
  APAP
  CINARS
  CASJB
  Organization recognized by the City of Sherbrooke

The Board consists of 9 seats:

• President: Kevin Zemmour, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Sherbrooke – CHUS Sherbrooke, Author
  
  

• Vice President: Josiane Levy, Retired, Former General Director of a Travel Agency
  
  

• Secretary: Vacant
  
  

• Treasurer: Diane Dubé, Head of Coordination, Social Work Unit, CHUS Sherbrooke
  
  

• Director: Melanie Lalande, Artistic Director of École Cadence, Former Artistic Director, Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas
  
  

• Director: Cynthia Pigeon, Dance Professor, École de danse de Québec
  
  

• Director: Martin Morin, Veteran, Dance Enthusiast
  
  

• Director: François Quirion, General Director, École Cadence, Former Chief Financial Officer, Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas
  
  

• Director: Gérard Samet, Lawyer, International Law and Litigation

A Committed Creator in the Service of Dance

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

As a performer, he danced for seven years with Ballet Preljocaj, participating in numerous tours and landmark creations. He also completed a one-year exchange with the Bolshoi Theatre under a contemporary soloist contract for a work by Angelin Preljocaj, further consolidating his experience on major international stages.

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

In 2019, he founded ZemmourBallet in Canada, a company developing a new artistic movement, Épaissisme, which emphasizes “thick” dance where forms, meaning, and emotions converge with unprecedented depth. This artistic movement was co-founded with the company’s dramaturge, Marc Zemmour. Under his direction, ZemmourBallet has become a major player in the choreographic landscape with innovative creations.

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 facility, equipped with a new theater, hosts performances for both general and young audiences, strengthening access to culture and the development of dance in Estrie.

Beyond his creations, Nicolas Zemmour is deeply committed to artistic transmission and sharing. He initiated the Sherbrooke Contemporary Dance Festival, celebrating choreographic diversity and supporting artists. He also organizes dance improvisation evenings, offering a space for exploration and exchange between performers and audiences.

He is actively involved in his community, currently serving on the board of Culture Sherbrooke and previously serving on various artistic juries. He was a member of the executive and administrative boards of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) for two years and of 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, passing on his knowledge and inspiring emerging artists.

Today, ZemmourBallet is gaining attention from major institutions in Europe, the United States, and South America. Committed to an ambitious artistic vision, Nicolas Zemmour works to foster dialogue between disciplines, artists, and audiences, guided by the fundamental values of excellence, accessibility, and integrity.

Photo: Nicolas Zemmour
By www.bourque-martin.com
Photo: Jean Martin
Post-production: Christel Bourque Arts Visuels

At ZemmourBallet, dance is a tool for reflection, dialogue, and engagement. Our works, such as La Brisure des Vases, Lemniscate, L’Enfer d’un monde, and Les évadé.e.s de la moraline, tackle major societal themes: collective memory, power dynamics, and mechanisms of oppression. Each creation questions the world around us, aiming to awaken consciousness and evoke emotion.

Our approach rests on three pillars: form, meaning, and emotion. By weaving an accessible yet demanding choreographic language, we reach both newcomers and enthusiasts, bringing together a diverse audience from children to adults. Our performances attract between 1,000 and 1,500 spectators per show, demonstrating the universal resonance of our work.

Fieldwork Before the Studio
Our creative process begins long before the stage. Once a theme is identified, we conduct extensive immersion to ground the piece in tangible reality. Over several months, Nicolas and Marc Zemmour gather testimonies in collaboration with field actors: care homes, addiction support centers, schools, and mental health professionals.

In parallel, we offer dance-therapy workshops led by a certified professional, giving participants a space to express themselves through movement. Private rehearsals and discussions with the entire artistic team, combined with cultural mediation with our partners, enrich our reflection and dramaturgy.

Creating Through Épaissisme
Our artistic approach follows Épaissisme, a movement initiated by Nicolas and Marc Zemmour. This method explores the density of gesture, time, and thought in choreographic creation. Instead of prioritizing simplicity or a single idea, we cultivate layers, convolutions of meaning, and bodily states, offering the audience a constantly resonant sensory and reflective experience. Through this process, movement does not merely illustrate an idea—it reveals the complexity of the world, playing with ambiguity, opposition, paradox, and fragmentation.

From Research to Stage
After the immersion phase, we dedicate an entire year to philosophical and artistic reflection, transforming gathered insights into choreographic concepts. Only then do we enter the studio with performers, exploring these ideas through body and space.

This demanding process gives the artist a vital role: revealing the spirit of our time. Beyond mere entertainment, dance allows us to denounce, question, and imagine new possibilities. For us, art is an act—a breath of thought in motion.

We are proud to collaborate with Estrie visual artist Sans Cravate for our posters, each a true work of art. Discover his universe: sanscravate.ca

Volunteering and Membership at ZemmourBallet – 2025

To become a volunteer at ZemmourBallet, one must be a member for 2025 and pay the $20 membership fee. This membership grants free access to ZemmourBallet activities, including volunteering opportunities and daily morning masterclasses.

Members agree to comply with the general regulations and policies in force within the organization. Membership also provides the right to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Board of Directors reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership in accordance with the association’s regulations.

• 2024

• 2023

• 2022

• 2021

• 2019/2020

• Eco-Responsibility and Sustainable Development Policy

• Inclusion Policy

• Policy on the Prevention of Psychological Harassment and Complaint Handling

• 2025