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Every Jean has a second first name. Jean Appolon’s is Josué, like Joshua. Like that Biblical character, he’s dauntless and like dancer-choreographer Alvin Ailey who came before him, Appolon has a flair for creating spectacular pieces, deeply rooted in the traditions of Haiti, and Africa. This New York City-trained, master of modern dance is also concerned about the future of the art. For this reason, he founded Dance Haiti! a nonprofit that aims to make dance a part of the lives of young people in Haiti, while also raising their consciousness about Haitian and African culture.

Appolon was born in Port-au-Prince and came to the USA at the age of seventeen, and if he is spreading the gospel of dance, he wants to evangelize in his home city, not just Boston where he is currently based.

Appolon was recently honored with a place on the prestigious Haitian Roundtable 1804—an organization that celebrates the achievements of professionals of Haitian descent—for his accomplishments. It’s easy to see why. Appolon’s dance moves bring out all of Africa, plenty of Haiti, while not losing sight on contemporary dance.

When you picture your childhood, what comes to mind?

What comes in my mind is how beautiful and scary things were. Growing up in a country where it was sunny everyday and waking up in a village where neighbors and family members look after your well-being. The bad was just not knowing what is going to come the next day because we were living in an unstable culture.

Do you think that Haitian dance has had an impact on dance in the USA and the rest of the world?

Yes. What confirms that for me was going to Alvin Ailey and seeing a lot of the movements and a lot of the training when it comes to Horton, Dunham and even African classes that I was taking there. I’ve seen a lot of similarities to Haitian folkloric dance and also reading about major pioneers who were inspired by Haitian dance confirms this too, like Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus and more.

In high school, were you already getting the notion that dance was going to be an integral part of your life?

Yes, since I was in elementary school.

What do you consider the perfect environment for dance?

I consider it to be adequate, accessible and inspiring.

How did you develop the flair for choreography?

To me, choreography is a language and a way of expressing your messages and stories. Just like a writer, I get inspired every day of my life by what I would like to talk about so I put that into my choreography.

For whatever reason, whenever folks think of choreographers, they think of music videos and musicals. Do you have a favorite musical, whose choreography you find to be just plain flawless?

My inspiration when it comes to choreography is Ulysses Dove, and a few others. I like The Lion King but in general the dancing in musicals is very cliché. For that, I’m very particular when it comes to going to watch musicals.

What do you consider your most pride-inspiring moment?

I don’t have that yet because I’m still working towards that moment.

Alvin Ailey, a classic choreographer, is quoted as having said: “Choreography is mentally draining, but there’s a pleasure in getting into the studio with the dancers and the music.” What’s your reaction to this?

I definitely think he is completely right. And I feel the same sentiment as Mr. Ailey described. I hope one day I can really have my own studios where I can spend as much time as I want to with my dancers because that’s a major part of my life and I would like to create bigger ballets in the future.

Above: Jean-Josué Appolon accepting an award for his accomplishments as a changemaker in his field from The Haitian Roundable.

And how do you know whether someone has what it takes to be a dancer?

By just looking at them. A true performer who wants to be a performer, when this person comes to you, you know they have it.

Going back to Mr. Ailey’s quote…choreography is no doubt physically draining as well. What measures should dancers take to care for themselves?

Take classes, yoga, Pilates, continue conditioning yourself so your mind and your physical body can be in a state to produce great things.

I was reading that you have Dance Haiti! a dance summer camp for kids in Haiti. That’s so cool.

This program is something that I’m very passionate about and it will mean the world to me when we are very stable to run this program without worries. We have an open call audition to find kids who are very passionate about dance and who really want to be doing something positive in the community. I prefer to call it a Summer Dance Institute instead of a camp. Anyone who is interested can watch this four minute video, or go to our website to find out more.

[ Appolon show his student participants some graceful moves through Jean Appolon Expressions’ Dance Haiti! initiative in Haiti. First Photo: Daniel Morel; all others provided by subject’s representative. ]

When did you visit Haiti last?

November 2013.

And what advice do you have to give to those who want to make dance and choreography their line of work?

The advice I have is to be courageous and never feel like you are limited.

Jean-Josué Appolon’s Facebook Page | Jean-Josué Appolon Website | Jean-Josué Appolon Twitter

Placide Sanford is a New York-based ballet dancer. The Port-au-Prince born ballet wonder struts with the Harlem Dance Theater, and was among the dancers for that theater company’s prestigious lineup this past spring. This year, his career has him bouncing all over the place. Some weeks he’s in Utah, some days in Ohio, and other times in New York. Prior to performing with the Harlem Dance Theater, he was part of the Manhattan Youth Ballet, the French Academie of Ballet, Ballet West, and North Carolina Dance.

Kreyolicious: How did you come to be a dancer?
Growing up in Haiti, dance and music was somehow part of daily life. You hear music, songs from the moment you wake up ’til bedtime and believe me some music do make you stop and “gaye pay” [do an impromptu dance] for a quick second before returning to your normal activity. So, music and movement is somewhat part of us.

I took my first dance class (Afro-Caribbean) in Gonaives, Haiti where I completed my primary schooling. Without telling my parents, I [took the dance class] instead of going to my piano lessons in which I was so talentless and miserable. My parents, in fact, did not find out [about the dance classes] until they [were] asked to pay for a costume fee for my performance at some graduation ceremony. It’s needless to say how they reacted.

Those classes were very informal. It could go from learning salsa to folklore in thirty minutes in a space I wouldn’t really consider a proper dance studio. I didn’t know any better since besides pictures from encyclopedias and television, I knew nothing. Each time I attended those classes, (before my parents found out and told me never to set my foot there again), I felt so free, happy and somehow knew that’s what I wanted to do. I immigrated to the United States during a time the country [Haiti] was going through some rough times politically, and here without my parents (who only visited each couple of months), I danced. I attended a proper ballet school in Miami, trained, auditioned for summer programs and was granted many scholarships to some of the biggest names. Also, people, [as well as] my teachers always said I had “something”, so I kept going. And finding out [what] it [could] become, [and that it] pays the bills, and [that it’s] a [great] career choice, I haven’t looked back! It took some convincing of my parents, but they learned [but it] is still a work in progress for some of my family.
Kreyolicious: Of all the dancers of the past who gave graced the stages of the world, which have inspired you the most?
I don’t really have a specific favorite dancer since I can always find something I like in someone’s dancing. But, I would say I respect Arthur Mitchell a lot. [He’s the] first African-American male ballet dancer in a major American company touring the world in the 60’s in [the United States of] America. Imagine. that’s pretty grand.

Kreyolicious: How do you maintain your physique and shape?
Ballet keeps me in shape for the most part. But, I do go on runs, and take hot yoga or African dance during long breaks.
Kreyolicious: How do you stay mentally balanced?
I am lucky to have cultivated some pretty amazing friends throughout my dancing journey in different cities in the States and abroad from different backgrounds and professions. So visiting or phoning friends, cooking, watching soccer, church etc…just learn how to be a human first.

Kreyolicious: Your parents have been supportive in your career?
At first no, but it was-and still is-to some family member a…process. For the most part, after proving it’s a respectable career choice, places I’ve visited and danced at, the famous people I’ve shaken hands and dine with, it’s gotten easier.

[Photo Credit: Beau Pearson]

Kreyolicious: It’s been said that some give up right before they are about to have a breakthrough. In your journey to success, were there times when you wanted to give up?
Well, I am happy to be sharing my story…perform with some renowned artists and [have others] acknowledge some of my accomplishments, but I have not yet feel what I would consider “success”. There’s more work to be done. More stories to create. More lives to inspire…just so many “mores”. It has not been easy, but I’m up for it.

Kreyolicious: What would you say has been your proudest moment?
The first time I flew down to Miami, treated my mom and dad (before he left this world) to a nice restaurant on one of their visits…just because I could afford it and always thought about sharing a moment like that.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?
In the long run, bring whatever I learn and cultivate through my journey back home. Help cultivate more artists in our community. But as of right now, and for some years to come “piwo”, “piwo” [aim higher and higher]

[Main Photo Credit: Nick Rose Photography]

CLICK HERE to keep up with Haitian ballet dancer Sanford Placide!