Dancer · France

Simon Dimouro

Hip hop dancer and choreographer, founder of Compagnie Entité

Biography

Simon Dimouro was born in Tours in 1990 and started hip hop dance at the age of 10. Eager to strengthen his technique and develop new artistic skills, at 21 he joined the professional training programme of Compagnie Rêvolution in Bordeaux, the first training centre for hip hop performers in France. In his very first year he was spotted by Anthony Egea, the company’s artistic director, who cast him as a performer for an international tour of “Urban Ballet”. Driven by a growing curiosity, from 2013 he took part in productions as unusual as they were eclectic, joining Compagnie X-press, the Ridzcie, Compagnie Faizal Zeghoudi, Compagnie Karine Saporta, Next Zone (Copenhagen), Mourad Merzouki’s “Répertoire” project and several other companies. Compelled by a need to create, at 22 he signed the first part of a solo, “Rencontre”. He asserts his singularity through a hybrid, sensitive, musical and instinctive choreographic world. Alongside his work as a performer, he founded Compagnie Entité in 2015 and became associate artist at the Conservatoire Francis Poulenc, the regional conservatoire of Tours, from 2015 to 2017. He joined its teaching staff in 2024. Since 2019 he has worked with the Centre Chorégraphique National de Tours (directed by Thomas Lebrun) and the Centre Chorégraphique National d’Orléans (directed by Maud Le Pladec and collectif ES) on various projects and in schools. He is the first dancer to bring hip hop into the Conservatoire Francis Poulenc in Tours and the departmental conservatoire of Orléans. Roots of his artistic commitment — Hip hop shaped his view of the world: a philosophy of movement as a form of freedom, a way of existing. Born in working-class neighbourhoods, it was created for everyone, regardless of age, gender, social or cultural background. In this space of freedom, everyone is free to be themselves and to express their emotions and experiences through movement. There are no rules, no codes to follow, only the impulse of the body and creativity. A democratic vision of art — For Simon, dance is not a gallery art but a universal language. He wants to break down the barriers between art and audiences, because for him dance must be a means of expression open to all, regardless of culture or social background. Art, he believes, should serve those who need it and meet people where they live, in their streets and neighbourhoods. It is an art for and by the people, alive, rooted in everyday life and able to build bridges between communities. Simon insists that art should not be reserved for an intellectual or social elite, but should bring people together and offer everyone fulfilment and freedom of expression. This inclusive approach resonates with deep values of sharing, solidarity and representation.

Career

2024
Joins the teaching staff of the Conservatoire Francis Poulenc in Tours
2019
Projects with the national choreographic centres of Tours and Orléans
2015
Founds Compagnie Entité; associate artist at the Tours conservatoire (2015–2017)
2013
Performer for X-press, the Ridzcie, Faizal Zeghoudi, Karine Saporta, Next Zone and Mourad Merzouki’s “Répertoire”
2012
First part of the solo “Rencontre”
2011
Professional training with Compagnie Rêvolution and international tour of “Urban Ballet”