a QUINTESSENTIAL RENAISSANCE MAN.
With over 17+ years of professional experience, Jemel McWilliams is a highly regarded Emmy Nominated Creative Director, Choreographer, Director & Producer.
Jemel’s creative approach stems from the knowledge he gained while dancing alongside many established artists. As a dancer, his artistry, skill and attention to detail opened many doors and he soon began working as a choreographer’s assistant. It was in this position that Jemel gained first-hand knowledge on the importance of creativity, leadership, organization and patience.
As a Creative director, Jemel has the power to consistently draw out organic, inspiring performances from the world’s most notable entertainers on prominent stages. His creativity and skilled techniques have been displayed domestically and globally – in performances for artists inclusive of Alicia Keys, John Legend, Janelle Monae, Kelly Rowland, Nick Jonas, Jon Batiste, Mickey Guyton and Tracee Ellis Ross, among other A-list and emerging performers.
Areas of
Expertise
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Jemel’s expressive aesthetic and artist direction have been represented in countless venues with world class appearances, across global stages television and award shows such as The Grammy's, Coachella, BET Awards, NBC's The Voice, numerous music videos, world tours and more. His artist direction illuminates through his works with John Legend, Janelle Monaé, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, MAGIC! and The Walls Group, to name a few.
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Jemel is a story teller, creating narratives with his artsy nature and free-flowing moves. Working with artists such as Alicia Keys, Janelle Monåe, John Legend, X-Ambassadors and more, Jemel taps into the present moment to create a space where the artist feels free to explore and get in-tune with their body movement, while exuding the confidence needed to own any stage.
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As a director, Jemel is recognized for his creative and expressive insight. Jemel’s sharp vision and innovative decision-making has been represented in the music videos of artists such as, The Walls Group- “My Life”, Rain & Whitney- “No Worries Step Clap” and MAAD- “Everything You’ve Got”. In addition, Jemel’s impressive knack for storytelling is illustrated across multiple platforms in the form of short films and online content.
Having worked with distinguished brands such as Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Gap Inc., New York Fashion Week’s Moncler Grenoble, and Zara, Jemel’s artistry has been showcased both as a Choreographer and Creative Director for national campaigns.
Expanding his repertoire as an actor and content creator, Jemel continues to land commercial, web and theatrical work. His comedic skits reach millions of viewers and contribute to his massive fanbase across social platforms. Keep up with Jemel as he continues to inspire, spread love and change the world through his passion for creating visual stories that shift the everyday narrative.
Kind Words
“Thank you to my visionary brother @jemelmcwilliams for creative directing”
John Legend on IG
“Visionary Choreographer” “that spectacular number was choreographed by Jemel McWilliams and the energy up in here is amazing”
Tyra Banks on Dancing With The Stars
“Working with Jemel has been really exciting. So bringing him in has been awesome. I saw Janelle Monae perform last year and I was like “ Who is doing that? Whoever is doing that choreography, I want that person.” We found him and he’s been incredible.”
Lizzo on The Making of “Truth Hurts” Performance BET Awards 19
“Working with an amazing creative director. He’s really good at getting to the heart of the artist. He is everything.”
Mickey Guyton on My Kind of Country
“Jemel is most effective with making you become vulnerable”.
Mickey Guyton on My Kind of Country
“ I’m so blessed. I mentioned my creative director Jemel McWilliams. He’s also the choreographer and in these moments what he does is incredible. He looks at me and my natural movement as I listen to the song. He'll play the song and we’ll just dance in the studio for hours. He’ll watch me move and then he’ll move and we would have a conversation in movement. He’ll see all of that and build something based on my natural movement and natural instinct. Then he’ll build a world of movement around it. The other dancers that are joining us are incredible and have their own style. He'll incorporate their natural style, but tailor it to my natural movement. He has this really great dimensional approach. It’s a lot of my natural input and him structuring that. I love it because at the moment it feels structured and I can still go off book. I’ve done that many times where I have gone in and out of the choreo just because it is so natural to who I am and my movement. He is such a genius at building it that I can move freely. That is the beautiful thing about working with Jemel.”
Jon Batiste on Late Cohen Show
“Jemel's whole workshop was about confidence and believing in yourself and putting yourself out there.”
Congo Cowboys on My Kind of Country
“I’d like to thank the genius, Jemel McWilliams”
Alex P Wilson, Grammy Awards on Jon Batiste Freedom Music Video
“I came here focused on family and freedom. Jemel McWilliams and I put together this performance of “Freedom”. That was my focus to really give healing, some joy, good ole black joy.”
Jon Batiste Red Carpet for Grammys