Jiří Pokorny was born in Prague, Czech Republic in 1981. He started his dance training at the pre-ballet school of the State Opera when he was eight years old and continued his studies at the Prague National Dance Conservatory . After his graduation, Jiří joined Laterna Magika in Prague, three years later he joined NDT2 in The Hague and continued his carrier with NDT1.

He has worked with many renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon, Crystal Pite and many others. After NDT Jiří has danced in KiddPivot Frankfurt under the leadership of Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite where he completed his carrier as a dancer. Jiri has performed in prestigious theaters world wide, such as Paris Opera, Sadler’s Wells London, Teatro Real Madrid, Teatro Liceu Barcelona, Joyce Theatre New York and many many others. As a choreographer, Jiri started creating his own short works at the annual choreography workshop of NDT “Switch” – from dancer to choreographer and since then he has been making new works continuously. His first bigger works were created for NDT’s Summer Intensive, from then on for NDT2 Up & Coming programs at Korzo Theatre in Den Haag and NDT2 main production at the stage of Lucent Dans Theater. Since his international recognition Jiří has collaborated with dance companies in Italy, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic and USA.

In 2016 he created Words and Space for Aterballetto.