Philippe
Cohen
Jury member of Benois de la Danse
Born in Morocco in 1953. In 1971, he began his dance training at “Le Centre de Danse International Rosella Hightower” and continued his studies until 1974. The political openness of this school gave him the possibility to work with diverse personalities such as Anton Dolin, Nora Kiss, Tatiana Grantzeva, Igor Youskevitch, Sonia Arova, John Gilpin… He joined “Le Ballet de Nancy” directed by Gigi Caciuleanu and performed in all of the company's creations including several by Dominique Bagouet. This encounter was important and Philippe Cohen followed the choreographer's artistic adventure from
1978. Until 1982 he accompanied Bagouet as an artist, professor and assistant notably in the production of “Les Voyageurs” performed by «L`Opéra de Paris ». And in parallel to the company's work, he explored different contemporary dance techniques including Peter Goss, Susan Buirge and Alwin Nikolais.
Bursary winner from the French Ministry of Culture, he decided to leave for the United States and follow the teachings of Merce Cunningham and the School of American Ballet.
In 1983 Rosella Hightower invited him to become the ballet master for “ Le Jeune Ballet de France ”. Apart from the daily class, he was responsible for the company's classical repertoire including La Sylphide, Napoli, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle… and choreographies by Maurice Béjart, John Neumier, Serge Lifar or George Balanchine. Also different creations from contemporary choreographers such as Carolyn Carlson, Daniel Larrieu, Claude Brumachon, Joelle Bouvier and Régis Obadia, Larrio Ekson, Régine Chopinot, Philippe Decouflé.
From 1988 to 1990, he was the study coordinator for “Le Centre National de Danse Contemporaine ” in Angers and worked with Michelle Anne de Mey, Hervé Robbe, Wim Vandekeybus and Trisha Brown.
Philippe Cohen was named director of chorographical studies for «Le Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon » in 1990, a position he occupied until 2003. He developed an international political exchange, which was conducted in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, South Korea, Honk Kong, Thailand, Belarus, Germany, England, Georgia and Canada.
Since 2003, he has directed «Le Ballet du Grand Theâtre de Genève».
Philippe Cohen was distinguished by the French Ministry of Culture and was awarded the Arts and Letters Officers Medal. The Vietnam government honoured him for service rendered in the development of Vietnamese culture.
Gallery