JEAN-CHARLES GIL
Jean-Charles Gil was born on August 26, 1959 in Jumilla, Spain.

A dancer, Jean-Charles Gil has enjoyed an international career working with the greatest names in dance. Today, as a choreographer, he is committed to a search for purity of movement to approach a universal purpose.

DANCER

1976 to 1984: Ballet National de Marseille Roland PETIT
After studying art in Lausanne, in 1976, at the age of 17, Jean-Charles GIL had his first major artistic encounter, when he was hired by Roland Petit at the Ballet National de Marseille.

At 19, he was named “Danseur Etoile”, and Roland Petit entrusted him with the leading roles in his repertoire: Franz in Coppélia – Le Fiancé in Le Loup – Frederi in L’Arlésienne – Morel in Intermittences du cœur – Phoebus and Frollo in Notre-Dame de Paris.

For Jean-Charles Gil, Roland Petit creates Les amours de Franz (the longest variation in the boy’s repertoire) – L’Hiver from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, as well as Les hauts de hurlement and Rosa.

International tours multiply (Japan, Korea, FRG, USA including Washington, New-York,

Metropolitan Opera ), giving this young dancer a passion for getting to know others.

In 1983, Jean-Charles GIL was named “Best Dancer of the Year” by the American press.

1980 to 1990: The Guest Life
“Guest star with the San Francisco Ballet from 1985 to 1988, where he danced works by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and others.

CHOREOGRAPHER – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

From 1995 onwards, Jean-Charles Gil turned his attention resolutely to projects, without neglecting performance. One of his first major creations was Électre for the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, followed by Bach to Africa for the Fête de la Musique in Aix-en-Provence, Always for the 10th anniversary of the Ballet de Monte Carlo. Next came Corps Accords, created in Lausanne in 1998, and Recuerdas y Recuerdos in 1999 for the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de danse de Marseille.

In 2000, he received a carte blanche from Gildas Bourdet for a show at the Théâtre national de Marseille La Criée: he presented Nati te quiero , based on a text by García Lorca, in homage to his mother and the Spain of his early childhood.

FROM BALLET DES JEUNES D’EUROPE TO BALLET D’EUROPE

In this progressive search, partnership is a must. The European Union has supported Jean-Charles GIL ,

over the years, through four projects, which is very rare and underlines the very specific nature of the work carried out. The first project involved support for the creation of a meeting place for young European dancers

This was followed, some time later, by the creation of a Summer University for young dancers coming out of 24 European dance schools, through the Culture 2000 program.

It was above all in the development of a precise methodology, tested over three years from 2003 to 2006, that he gained recognition for his innovative action, carried out with the help of the European Social Fund, in the field of dancer integration and retraining. The five different tutor profiles he identified and characterized demonstrate that dancers’ retraining depends first and foremost on the ongoing training they receive within their companies during their working lives, with the participation of choreographers who thus see their own practice evolve.

With the help of the European Regional Development Fund, it has also pragmatically demonstrated the existence of a practical and concrete link between the ongoing training of dancers, who open up their work to the public, and the fact that access to citizenship for audiences far removed from culture, through dance, is a reality today.

A permanent company and initially a European laboratory of excellence, between 2003 and 2006 the company piloted the European project “Stabilisation Emploi Danse”, supported by the European Social Fund (ESF).

Using a methodology linked to awareness-raising initiatives, this project aims to defuse the downward spiral that plagues the careers of dancers, particularly women. This is the first time in Europe that dance has been approached from a social perspective. In July 2007, the European Union recommended that “the project carried out by Ballet d’Europe and co-financed by the ESF (be) promoted as an example to follow”. In 2010, the Company’s project for the integration and professionalization of young dancers was recognized by AFDAS.

While continuing to reflect on the status of dancers, and promoting job stability through permanent contracts (annual fixed-term contracts and permanent contracts)

• 1999 to 2003: BALLET DES JEUNES D’EUROPETRAINING – TRANSMITTING – OPENING UP AUDIENCES

  In 1999, Jean-Charles Gil founded the “Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe” in Pertuis (84), setting up meetings between young European dancers. Welcoming talented young dancers from all over the European Union and beyond to summer schools, the Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe fosters cultural exchange and the professional integration of young dancers, giving them a first experience approaching that of a company.

  Each year, 30 dancers aged between 17 and 22 who have completed their training at one of Europe’s leading dance academies, and who are partners of Le Jeune Ballet d’Europe (24 schools and academies in 16 countries), are brought together for five weeks to form a real company, within which they gain their first professional experience. Surrounded and guided by a team of creators, teachers and technicians, each member bringing his or her own experience and skills. The aim was to immerse these young people in a variety of situations they would encounter in their working lives.

  Recognized as a “European pilot project” in the field of dance training, and accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the “European Summer University” of the Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe is held in partnership with the University of Provence (Aix-Marseille I).

  1999/2001 the university is located in a rural area of the Vaucluse. 2002/2003 the university is based at the Etang des Aulnes estate in St Martin de Crau (an estate belonging to the Bouches-du-Rhône General Council) for two years.

  The first European meetings reserved for professionals are organized on the theme of:

  “Professional training for dancers – Higher dance education in Europe”.

  ARCADE has compiled a summary of these first European meetings, which have served as a basis for reflection on how to build links with the various European training centers and explore common issues in greater depth.

  A series of events, most of them open to the public, punctuate the work of the Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe Summer Academy: amateur dancer workshops, public rehearsals, public classes, Open workshops, etc. ….

  SUMMER ACADEMY PATRONS

  Maurice Béjart in 1999 – William Forsythe in 2000 – Bill T. Jones in 2001 – Marcia Haydee in 2002.

  TEACHERS AND LECTURERS

  1999 Peter Appel and David Allen – classical dance – Stéphanie White and Michèle Swennen – contemporary dance,

  Carlos Murias and Ana Casas “Carmen Tortola Valencia, Spanish dancer” lecture.

  2000 – theme: Spain

  Françoise Adret and Ménia Martinez classical dance, Michèle Swennen contemporary dance, José de Udaeta lecture-recital on “the secrets and virtuosity of castanets”.

  2001 – theme: Finland

  Françoise Adret and Peter Appel classical dance, Michèle Swennen contemporary dance, Jean Babilée classes and talk on Patrick Bensard’s film “Le Mystère Babilée”.

  2002 – theme: the Sacred and Dance

  Françoise Adret and Jorge Garcia classical dance, Michèle Swennen contemporary dance, Gérard Mannoni and Ana Luisa Ambrosio Amédez lecture on “the language of dance” by Yemaya and Oshùn.

  2003 Françoise Adret, Jorge Garcia ballet, Jenny COOGAN, Betty Jones, contemporary dance

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS/CREATIONS

1999 Spring and fall to a young child John Neumeier

Cuban Overture – Thierry Malandain

Entre deux – Christine Fricker, creation

Qui est-ce qui ? – Jean-Marc Matos, creation

Fantaisie pour tous – Jean-Charles Gil, premiere

2000 Arenal – Nacho Duato;

Les pèlerins – Christophe Bérenger, creation

Ravel’s Bolero – Jean-Charles Gil, creation

Fantaisie pour tous – Jean-Charles Gil

2001 Un Rêve – Jorma Uotinen, world premiere

Midsummer day – Jean-Vincent Boudic, creation

La quête du Sampo, creation and Fantaisie pour tous – Jean-Charles Gil

2002 D.S.- -Régis Obadia, creation

Les petits dieux de chaque jour – Ramon Oller, creation

Duo d’Anges – Jean-Christophe Maillot

Fantaisie pour tous – Jean-Charles Gil

2003 Le Bal, Josette BAIZ creation

onversation#1, Lionel HOCHE creation

( F R I S K I N G ) Wim VANDEKEYBUS

Fantaisie pour tous – Jean-Charles GIL

2003 to 2017: BALLET DES JEUNES D’EUROPE / BALLET D’EUROPE

In 2003, Jean-Charles Gil founded “Le Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe” in Marseille (13) as part of his ongoing project to create, pass on and raise public awareness. In 2010, it became “Le Ballet d’Europe”, a permanent company of young international dancers. In 2008, the company moved to Allauch (13), where it will remain until 2017, in the former Usine Électrique, which has been restored and refurbished as a cultural venue.

Comprising 18 dancers with classical training from all over the world, in the image of Europe as a land of welcome, the company has built up a resolutely virtuoso repertoire which, between the often outdated shackles of classical dance and the sometimes dazzling renunciations of a certain contemporary dance, asserts its own path.

Ballet d’Europe cultivates a philosophy of togetherness, respectful of each individual’s identity. Just as the European Union acts with a single voice for countries with different cultures, Jean-Charles Gil sublimates the personalities and origins of each individual, right down to the creation, to achieve unity and universality through purity. By affirming his work on classical technique as a tool of excellence, Jean-Charles Gil seeks the essential to access freedom and emotion, hence a work centered on the dancer’s feeling, not on copied gesture.

Today, Ballet d’Europe disseminates its repertoire of some twenty works by Jean-Charles Gil and as many creations by guest choreographers. The company is thus concentrating on developing its aesthetic. Its artistic line and awareness-raising activities are in keeping with the contemporary world, and bring their own differences to it.

In 2003, for the birth of the “Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe”, three choreographers were invited: Régis Obadia, Lionel Hoche and Jorma Uotinen. Three hours of performances were presented, with four creations and 32 associations involved in the “Access to Citizenship” project as part of the city’s urban policy, in an unusual venue for dance, Les Docks des Suds in Marseille.

Her dance accompanies Roberto Alagna’s “Sicilienne”, and wins over audiences and critics alike for the 2011 production of Aïda at the Masada Festival (Israel) and the Chorégies d’Orange.

For Marseille-Provence 2013, European Capital of Culture, Jean-Charles Gil

is developing an artistic project on the theme of water, which began with Udor Polimates

(Eau Savante) and which will be further developed with H₂O – Mémoires du Rhône.

From 2013: BALLET D’EUROPE / LE TRANSFORMATEUR

September 2013 end of the permanent company, Jean-Charles Gil imagines a new project with his workplace in Allauch (a former power plant) as its backbone.

This project, called LE TRANSFORMATEUR, Lieu de Création de Transmission et de Sensibilisation (TRANSFORMER, Place for Creation, Transmission and Awareness-raising) is open to Artist Residencies, Training and the development of projects aimed at the general public.

CREATIONS

During his tenure at Ballet d’Europe, Jean-Charles Gil choreographed some fifteen new works and produced as many pieces by guest choreographers.

Choreographies by Jean-Charles Gil / Ballet d’Europe

2015: “Barouf” Choreography by Jean-Charles Gil with Spiky The Machinist

2014: “Lâcher Prise

2013 “Désincarné” – Marseille Provence 2013 Artistic collaboration with painter Toma-L

2013 “La 7éme” – Incolballet (Colombia)

2012/13 “H₂O Mémoires de l’Eau” – Marseille Provence 2013 project, European Capital of Culture. Music Laurent Perrier – image/video Dominik Barbier Anne Van Den Steen

2012 ” Complicités ” – Set André STERN

2010 “Autrement Pareil

2010 “Trace avec Moi” – Duo Jean-Charles Gil and Monique Loudières

2010 “Udor Polimatés

2009 “Comme un Souffle de Femme” set design by André Stern

2008 “FOLAVI

2008 “Sweet Gershwin

2007 “Histoires d’Eux

2006 “Mozart Requiem” in Damascus (Syria) – Scenography by Jean-Michel Bruyère

2005 Choreography for graduating dancers at the Malta Conservatory of Dance

2005 “One More Time

2004 “Schubert in Love” video

2004 “Mireille

2003 “Petrouchka” at Docks des Sud – Creation of the Compagnie Permanente

In 2005, Le Ballet d’Europe took part in the revival of Angelin Preljocaj’s Romeo and Juliet. This collaboration enabled the two companies to tour China, Germany and Spain.

Jean-harles Gil will also accompany Roberto Alagna’s “Sicilienne”, and won public and critical acclaim for the 2011 production of Aïda at the Masada Festival (Israel) and the Chorégies d’Orange.

Guest choreographers Ballet des Jeunes d’Europe and Ballet d’Europe

2013 : Le Grand Bal – Sharon Fridman

2012: L’ombre des jumeaux – Michel Kelemenis

2011: Cantadagio (1972) – Joseph Lazzini – Revival

A little further afield: – Created by Christophe Garcia

2010: Hévéa – Created by Francesco Nappa

2010: Le Petit Prince – Creation – Florencia Gonzalez (Cie dancer)

2008: Pour Eux – Georges Appaix

2006: Barnum Boudoir (En attendant Silvia) – Lionel Hoche

2004: Cor Perdut – Nacho Duato

2004 : Glyphes – Vis Motrix – Luca Veggetti – creation

Pour eux, Georges Appaix – creation

2003: DS – Régis Obadia

2003: Flamingo Mix – Lionel Hoche

2003: Un rêve – Jorma Uotinen

Guest teachers at Ballet d’Europe

Simon de Mowbray classical dance,

Jorma Uotinen contemporary dance

HONORARY DISTINCTIONS

. In 2005, Jean-Charles Gil received the Choreography Prize at the Jerash Festival in Jordan.

. In 2004 Jean-Charles Gil was made an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of

Communication, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.

. Jean-Charles Gil is awarded the Diamond Cross (Spain).

. In 1992, Jean-Charles Gil was awarded the Prix Léonide Massine in Positano (Italy).