Mehdi Kerkouche

Raised in the generation of television and media, Mehdi Kerkouche began his career as a professional dancer before the age of 18. His experiences on stage deepened his passion for dance, leading him to pursue choreography. He soon became a teacher at AID (Académie Internationale de la Danse), Studio Harmonic and Lax Studio in Paris, and was invited to numerous festivals in France and abroad, including in Italy, Japan and Quebec.



After collaborating with renowned artists like Christine and the Queens and directing a number of shows for television, film and advertising, he founded his own company, EMKA, in 2017 to bring together different bodies and styles through energetic, poetic movement. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, the general public embraced his work and his creative initiatives, including his lockdown videos and the launch of his "On Danse Chez Vous" solidarity festival. He was awarded Knighthood in the French National Order of Merit by the  Ministry of Culture for these activities. In 2020, Aurélie Dupont, then director of the Paris Opera Ballet, gave him carte blanche to create a piece, affirming his influence in the world of dance.

Since January 2023, Mehdi Kerkouche has been Director of the Centre Chorégraphique National de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne. He continues to develop his own projects, supports the emergence of young choreographers and aims to establish a digital studio to further support artists in the world of dance, an area which is constantly evolving.

 

He has continued to work with major artists like Angèle, while pursuing his work with the company. His latest creation, PORTRAIT, was a resounding success in France and abroad, with the latest edition of the "On Danse Chez Vous" festival attracting 6,500 spectators.