Jeanefer Jean Charles
Jeanefer Jean-Charles is a globally renowned artist. Since starting her journey as Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Bullies Ballerinas’ Jazz Dance Company (1990-2000), her work has taken her to over 21 countries. As Artistic Director of Big Dance, she gained recognition by the Guinness Book of Records by choreographing and coordinating 800 dancers in Trafalgar Square in 2006.
Her company, Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates, are industry leaders in developing, directing and delivering creative responses for large-scale events and offer ambitious, innovative and empowering responses to client needs. Jeanefer has designed and delivered artistic solutions for some of the world’s most iconic organisations. Her extensive portfolio includes opening ceremonies, global sporting events, festivals, carnivals and parades. A skilled communicator, Jeanefer is an expert in collaborative working and in delivering a cohesive vision to inspire, entertain and empower.
Career highlights include: the Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace 2013, Artistic Director for The Rugby League World Cup Opening Ceremony 2013, Mass Movement Director for Roald Dahl’s City of the Unexpected 2016 and for The F.A. Cup Final Opening Ceremony at Wembley 2016. Choreographer for the award winning The Return of Colmcille, Derry-Londonderry City of Culture 2013, and the film Engineering Happiness for the Institution of Civil Engineers. Movement Coordinator on all four of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and Artistic Director of ‘Black Victorians’ – UK tour 2021. Produced by festival.org and funded by Without Walls.
Her unique methods centre around her role as the creator, drawing together the right team to most effectively engage and enrich the community. Her creative process aims to bring to life the talents, strengths and shared stories of local communities and artists in inspiring and unforgettable ways.
As a leading authority in mass movement and public engagement, Jeanefer continues her life mission of creatively harnessing dance and movement for the empowerment of individuals. She is passionate about ensuring overlooked communities are made visible.
Her interest in truly exploring ways in which participants can play a valuable role in the artistic development of a project and contribute to the decision of the overall presentation, has been the reason why she is the ‘go to’ person for public engagement. An example of this is her recent work in 2019 bringing to life the Tilbury Carnival whilst also facilitating an artistic exchange with Norfolk Festival. And ‘Spirit of Woolwich’ - part of Festival.org’s Global Streets programme - inspiring local change through unforgettable international outdoor arts experiences coupled with targeted engagement activities.
As a former schoolteacher, Jeanefer used her educational experience to develop outreach programs in the 90’s in rural areas as Artistic Director of Bullies Ballerinas. Many underrepresented and marginalised communities benefited from learning typically urban cultural dance and movement, and were introduced to new forms of creative expression. Between 2007-2019 She also ran her own project ‘Tomorrow’s Men’ – using dance as a tool to help young men re-engage in their education.
