One of the most rich and joyful experiences of JAE has been bringing together young dance students from Haiti and Massachusetts. Read what some of the dancers from Haiti and the US have said about their time dancing and learning with JAE.
Lawrence-Haiti remote summer dance institute 2021
In August, 2021, we held a hybrid program. Many students joined us in the studio in Lawrence, Mass, and other dancers participated virtually over video, from Haiti and Maine. All our students were able to find meaning in community and movement by dancing together.
“Thanks to Jean and Meghan for giving me this great opportunity. I learned amazing things with all of you. I had a great moment and hope to participate again. It was my first experience. I worked so hard and the movements were not easy to do, but I finally did them with practice. I am proud of myself for being who I am and am ready to share this experience with other girls.”
“For me it was a phenomenal experience I had for 2 weeks. I learned a lot and it really helped me discover my talents. I would never have learned to dance if I didn’t get this opportunity. I learned to draw a tree and some choreography that I really love. Dance is my passion and when I am dancing I feel like I am traveling and feel that I am in another world. It also helps me forget everything and think about hope.”
“Dancing helps me find peace inside of me. It helps me forget all the stressful situations we are facing in this country. It was really great. New movement, I see new faces and really like the experience that I did virtually. I found out that we can dance everywhere we are if we really want. It doesn’t matter where you just have to be willing to dance. What I take away from the program is that even the Covid 19 can not stop us from learning and doing what makes us free. I am proud of myself because everything that is happening in the country now I always find a way to overcome the situation.”
“During this program I was very challenged as a dancer and worked very hard on my technique. I am proud that I stuck with it and pushed my body everyday.”
“For me this experience was great because it made me forget about my problems and everything happening in this world. I learned to have more strength and joy when dancing. I love the choreography I learned, especially Mayi choreography. I feel proud of myself when I am dancing.”
Lawrence remote summer dance institute 2020
Because the Summer Dance Institute was online in 2020, we were able to have four lovely dancers from the Center for the Arts in Port-au-Prince join the program over Zoom! Here is a letter that one of the dancers wrote to us.
“Dear Dance Teachers,
Over the past weeks, I’ve learned a lot from all of you. That’s why I wanted to say thank you. I was so happy to be part of your dance class and thank you for making that possible via zoom in order to help us develop our talents. Thank you for teaching us the YANVALOU dance which is a traditional dance.
I hope to meet all of you after the Covid-19. A thousand thank you’s for this opportunity I love the experience.”
Spring Intensive, 2019
Shara Joseph, from the Center for the Arts in Port-au-Prince, has joined Jean and the JAE company dancers in Massachusetts for two intensives - first the springtime Teen Intensive, and then the Lawrence Summer Dance Institute. She was also one of our dancers from Haiti to attend the online version of the Summer Institute in 2020.
Here is what Shara had to say about the Teen Intensive:
“During this past week with JAE, I have changed so much. I hope that JAE will continue to change my life and give me more opportunities. This experience with JAE has had a big impact on me. I hope that from this new experience will finally let me have the confidence in myself to chase my shyness away. JAE had the ideal people. I loved the teachers. The girls all made me feel like nothing was impossible. ”