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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS2. MISSION AND VISION3-4. PERFORMANCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL COMPANY5. COMMUNITY CLASSES 6. EDUCATION - CREATIVE DANCE FOR KIDS7. EDUCATION - TEEN APPRENTICES8-9. EDUCATION - SUMMER DANCE INSTITUTE10. EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS11-12. FINANCES 13. IMPACT Artistic Director: Jean Appolon : jean@jeanappolonexpressions.org)Executive Director: Meghan McGrath : (megm@jeanappolonexpressions.org)JeanAppolonExpressions.org@jaebostonhaiti (IG/Twitter)
Dear JAE Community,We are so excited to write and continue to update you about the growth of JAE. It has been a year rich in community programming, where we truly feel embraced by Boston’s diverse population and arts ecosystem at large.In May 2022, we premiered Traka at the Institute of Contemporary Art, presented by Global Arts Live and were thrilled to have Celebrity Series present the production at the Multicultural Center in Cambridge in October 2022. ese were powerful experiences that truly boosted our visibility and connectivity with many audience members across Massa-chusetts.It was a powerful transition to move the Summer Dance Institute to the Dominican Republic and partner with Kalalú Dance School. is allowed us to bring ve of our Youth Apprentices from Haiti to the program in the DR, which led to opportunities for in person training and deep connection across cul-tures –deepening JAE’s mission. Sunrise Airways was a huge support, giving us free tickets for our Haitian students and chaperones and making their travels safe and welcoming. Raphaëlle François was our lead DR program coordinator and educator and continues to work alongside the JAE team in Boston to develop new and deeper experiences for community members in the DR and Haiti. We are truly thrilled to have her on our team. We are extremely excited to return to Haiti this coming summer, precisely in the northern city, Cap-Haï-tien. JAE began in Haiti and this return allows us to continue growing our vision and expanding the bridge between our work across communities. We look forward to being in this new region of the country and also welcoming new and former students to our holistic institute to bring hope and healing to many. We are sending sincere appreciation to all of our funders and volunteers. Our work is not possible without you. WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE, letterfrom thedirectors1Jean & Meghan
Missionrobert torres2JAE SHARES the liberating power of Haitian-folkloric dance to cultivate hope and healing towards a more expressive and socially just world.VisionJEAN APPOLON EXPRESSIONS (JAE) is a contemporary dance company deeply rooted in Haitian-folkloric culture that celebrates, nurtures, and empowers a global community. We accomplish this through professional performances, teaching, and fostering healing and the joy of movement in people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to contribute to a socially just world.
Professional companyOlivia moon/halfasianlens3IJ CHAN (she/her, Company Dancer and Graphic Designer)NADIA MILAD ISSA (they/them, Company Dancer and Cultural Strategist)VELOUSE JOSEPH (she/her, Company Dancer)MAYA LUCKETT (she/her, Company Dancer)MEGHAN MCGRATH (she/her, Company Dancer and Executive Director)MEGHAN RILING (she/her, Company Dancer and Director of Media + Marketing)LONNIE STA NTON (she/her, Company Dancer)MCEBISI XOTYEN I (he/him, Company Dancer and Artist Manager)
4performancehighlightsphotos 1&3: olivia moon/halfasianlensphoto 2: wayne lake1 2 3KONEKSYONFINDING HOME: IMMIGRANT STORIESOUVÈTI (OUTDOOR DANCE PERFORMANCE)TRAKA EMBODIED 5TH ANNUAL BANBOCHECURRY COLLEGE RESIDENCY AND PERFORMANCETRAKA PREMIERE BEYOND THE BOUNDS ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCEPERFORMANCE AT CODMAN SQUARE LIBRARY30080120201751504506545959/11/21 9/18/2110/2/2110/11/221/22/224/30/225/13-14 20226/25/227/25/228/13/22Starlight SquareCambridge, MAJamaica Pond BoathouseJamaica Plain, MAMalden CenterMalden, MAMedeld State HospitalMedeld, MAVirtual, Live-streaming from Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MACurry College Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)Fort Hill in EasthamCodman Square LibraryPowers Farm ParkSelf-produced Hoopla ProductionsUrban Media ArtsCultural Alliance of MedeldSelf-produced, sponsored by The Boston FoundationSelf-producedGlobal Arts LiveBeyond The Bounds OrchestraBoston Public LibrarySponsored by the Turner Free Library and Mass Cultural Councilperformancedat e attendeeslocationco-producers and presentersOUVÈTI (OUTDOOR DANCE PERFORMANCE)
5communityclassesWeekly open classes enabled the JAE community to connect from all over the world. Haitian FolkloreApproximately 60 students gathered every Saturday aernoon to dance to live drums. ese classes were broadcast over Facebook Live, attracting dancers from all over the world.African Dance WorkoutJean held this energetic class on weeknight evenings in both a park in Kendall Square and at e Foundry in Cambridge.Power WorkoutJean led dance-based workouts on Facebook Live, both in English and Haitian Creole, always finishing class by con-necting to students in the way that only Jean can. e moment I felt most connected was in circle. I love Jean’s spirit. I am working on community building.-Ouveti participant -I loved the class, knowing my community and connecting with them. When we moved, I felt my stress melt away.-Traka Workshop participant“”“”
6education:creative dance for kidsCreative Dance for Kids introduces young children to the art of dance using patterns, movement words, music, and storytell-ing. Haitian Folkloric rhythms and movements are woven into the class in a child-friendly fashion. During class, the students explore a dierent theme from social justice topics through age-appropriate literature, conversation, and movement.In FY22 we explored themes of kindness, acceptance, noticing and appreciating dierences, identity, standing up against injustice, and love. We immersed ourselves in stories about Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico to show the connection between Caribbean countries at large.Meg and Jean really understand kids. ey know what parts of dance are im-portant for young children to experience - creativity, rhythm, expression, and coming together. My son has a fantastic time, no matter what kind of energy he’s feeling that day. Jean and Meg have also gone out of their way to make class work for everybody. Even though we are so sad to have moved out of Boston this year, which means we can’t come to class in person anymore, we still attend class on Zoom and have a great, interactive experience. is is such a high quality class, practically a boutique kind of experience - but it’s still open and inclusive to all.-Meghan Riling, Creative Dance Parent, STEAM Educator, Former Director of Media + Marketing, Former Company Dancer“”
7education:teen apprenticesphotos by nadia todresOur Teen Apprentices meet weekly (virtually) to learn about Haitian Folkloric dance and strengthen their modern technique. ey learn about what it is like to be a part of a professional, collaborative nonprot dance company. Five of our dedicated Teen Apprentices from Port Au Prince, Haiti joined the JAE team in Santo Domingo to dance and connect with our students in the Dominican Republic. JAE’s Teen Apprentice program is at no cost to the Teen Apprentices. Dance has always been a part of my life, it’s my passion, I love what I do, I love the positive energy it brings to my life...I’m determined to one day help the girls my age in my community get rid of stress and shyness. To let them know that there is a life outside of what we go through in this life with dance.-Ketchmine Myrtil, Summer Dance Institute student & JAE Teen ApprenticeWhat makes you feel connected?I feel we are connected when we dance with our hearts.I feel connected to the community because it helped me come out of my shell and appreciate dance more.“”“”
8education:summer dance instituteA free program for young people to explore connection and culture through danceLocal Partners:Hosted in partnership with Kalalú Dance School in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Izizwe Dance Studio in Lawrence, MAJAE served 120 youth through its 16th Annual Free Summer Dance Institute, a free program for young dancers exploring connec-tion and culture through dance. Summer 2022’s free programming took place in two countries, the Dominican Republic and the United States and served young people from the U.S., Dominican Republic, Total students served in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Lawrence, MA, and Santo Domingo, DR: 1,085 Summer Dance Institute alumni continuing in JAE's yearlong free programming: 11-Summer Dance Institute Student“”Dominican Republic Summer Dance Institute: July 4-10, 2022Lawrence, MA Summer Dance Institute: July 18-August 6, 2022Aprendí pasos danzas nuevas, aprendí culturas nuevas, y también tengo nuevas amistades. (I learned new dance steps, I learned new cultures, and I also have new friends.)
9education:summer dance institute (cont'd) JAE supports youth to foster connections, build resilience, and heal from trauma.photos by nadia todresI feel the program is even bigger than us and what we oer to the communities we serve. I think former students are a great testimony to how the program really changes lives. We want the world to be aware of the healing we create through these programs. at we truly are able to give hope to kids, families, and communities.-Jean Appolon, Founder & Artistic Director“”
10education:partnershipsTo extend our reach to new students, JAE has been partnering with schools across Massachusetts and beyond. is enables us to meet kids and young adults where they are, and empower them through Hai-tian culture, dance, and drumming.schoolfo rm atstudents6 Haitian Folkloric workshops with live drumming for 120 French Students, along with a professional company performance for general school populationOngoing weekly classes in Community Schools programOngoing weekly classes in Community Schools programSTARS Residency professional company performance and mini workshop seriesOngoing weekly class; Professional company performanceAfter school Enrichment Haitian Folkloric classes with choreography and performancesHaitian Folkloric classes with drumming for 200 dance studentsWeekly Haitian Folkloric dance classes for performing arts studentsHigh SchoolElementary SchoolElementary SchoolHigh SchoolHigh SchoolPrivate school grades 1-4Freshman through SeniorsPrivate Middle SchoolLONGMEADOW PUBLIC SCHOOLSCAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLSSOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLSANDOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLSMEDFORD PUBLICSCHOOLSTHE PARK SCHOOL LOWELL HIGH SCHOOLTHE WINSOR SCHOOL
11finances(fiscal year)Unprecedented financial growth in 2022 will allow us to expand our reach and our offerings for the JAE community.revenueexpenses
12finances(cont’d)Barr FoundationThe Boston Foundation Boston Cultural CouncilCambridge Arts CouncilCambridge Community FoundationEssex Community FoundationMass Cultural CouncilMovement Arts Creation Studio (MACS)Nathaniel & Elizabeth P. Stevens FoundationNational Endowment for the ArtsSocial Equity Access FundStevens FoundationThe James E. and Allyce Darling Nesworthy Charitable TrustThe White Fund, Inc.Imagining New Possibilities for Fiscal Year 2023The difference between revenue and expenses reects a monumental shi in JAE’s funding that occurred toward the end of FY2021. We have begun to leverage this change to create new possibilities for the future of our community by growing and investing in our diverse team of artists and arts professionals in a way that we have never been able to do before. JAE has always had a strong team of enthusiastic, imaginative, and skillful in-dividuals – now these people will be able to devote even more of their energy and eorts to JAE.In late 2021, JAE received two groundbreaking grants, which will allow us to expand our programs and outreach:Major Granting Organizations (FY 2022):Olivia moon/halfasianlensJAE received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for $100,000 as part of the Ameri-can Rescue Plan (ARP). JAE was selected to participate in the Powering Cultural Futures initiative, a six-year collaboration between the Barr Foundation and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Our initial grant, supporting operations over the next three years, is in the amount of $500,000.
13social detrimentsof healthAn organization that has all five in place is in a powerful place to support their community.These are five areas that have a huge impact on people’s health, happiness, and quality of life. BASED ON THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH FRAMEWORK* photos by Olivia moon/halfasianlens**
“”Facebook: facebook.com/jeanappolonexpressionsInstagram: @jaebostonhaitiI have the privilege of teaching young girls how to dance. Seeing their happy faces and watching them make progress brings me immense joy and fulllment. Dance has the power to upli and inspire, and it’s heart-warming to see the positive impact it has on these girls’ lives. By sharing my passion and expertise with them, I’m not only providing a fun and engaging activity but also equipping them with valuable life skills. e sense of accomplishment and condence they gain from learning and mastering new dance moves is truly rewarding. I feel honored to be a part of their journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a dierence in their lives.-Raphaelle François, Lead Educator (Dominican Republic) & Guest Company DancerDonate today:www.jeanappolonexpressions.org/givenadia todres