Jacob Jonas

Jacob Jonas is an American choreographer, filmmaker, and artistic director based in Los Angeles. He is the founder and artistic director of the nonprofit organization Jacob Jonas The Company and the global film platform Films.Dance. His multidisciplinary work bridges dance, film, architecture, nature, health, and public space.

Early life and education A third-generation native of Los Angeles, Jonas began dancing at age 13 after performing with the Calypso Tumblers street troupe on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. He was mentored by Raymond Bartlette, popper Vincent "Mr. Animation" Foster, and choreographer Donald Byrd.

In 2014, Jonas launched #CamerasandDancers, a monthly social media initiative bringing together dancers and photographers for site-specific collaborations. The project partnered with institutions including The Getty, The Met, The Whitney, The Kennedy Center, and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonas and JJTC presented "PARKED", a socially distanced performance at Santa Monica Airport where dancers performed in masks and audiences watched from their cars.

In 2020, Jonas launched Films.Dance, a global film initiative bringing together choreographers, dancers, musicians, and filmmakers from over 25 countries. The series featured more than 40 short films and included artists such as Hilary Hahn, Desmond Richardson, Sara Mearns, Antonio Sanchez, and Jamar Roberts. It has received more than 10 million views across platforms.

Commercial work Jonas has collaborated with Kanye West, Sia, Rosalía, Elton John, SZA, Patrick Watson, Imogen Heap, and Elyanna. He has directed or choreographed campaigns and commissions for Gucci, Gap, Apple, Mastercard, James Perse, and Sony.

He was named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" in 2018.

Artistic style and philosophy Jonas's choreography integrates contemporary ballet, street dance, and acrobatics, often using the body as a sculptural and architectural form. Following his recovery from stage IV lymphoma, Jonas began developing frameworks of movement rooted in science and health, particularly cellular behavior and transformation.

Personal life Jonas is a survivor of stage IV diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which has shaped his creative philosophy and interdisciplinary practice, particularly his interest in connecting movement, medicine, and storytelling.