About JAE
Using the liberating power of Haitian-folkloric dance…
…to cultivate hope & healing towards a more expressive and socially just world.
Mission
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is a Haitian folkloric and contemporary-infused dance organization.
We cultivate hope and healing to foster more expressive and socially just communities through professional performances, education, cultural experiences, and the celebration of the joy of movement for all.
Read JAE’s Statement on Cultural Equity, an integral part of our work as an organization.
Professional Company
Performances, Residencies, & Master Classes
Youth
JAE Youth Apprenticeship, Creative Dance for Kids, Summer Dance Institute, & JAE in Schools
Community
Weekly Classes, Workshops, Community Dancer Program, & Retreats
JAE Dance Center
Home of JAE, Cultural Hub, Community Use, & Rentals
What we believe in
Our Values
Lakou
Community
We foster welcoming spaces where generations gather to connect, share culture, and create community.
Angaje
Commitment to Justice
We use art as a force for social justice, uplifting voices and celebrating the beauty and strength of Haitian culture.
Vwayaj
Journey
We honor the journeys of migration, identity, and personal growth that build bridges across cultures and communities.
Gerizon
Healing
We nurture healing of the body, mind, and spirit through dance, music, expression, and joy.
Pouvwa
Power & Empowerment
We empower individuals to discover their strength, use their voice, and transform energy into positive change.
Tout Moun Se Moun
Everyone is Human
We believe everyone belongs. Every person is valued, respected, and welcomed in our community.
Our founder
Jean Appolon is a choreographer and cultural leader who uses dance to foster healing, connection, and community.
Jean Appolon received his earliest training and performance opportunities in Port-au-Prince with the Viviane Gauthier Dance Company and the Folkloric Ballet of Haiti.
Our Story
JAE celebrates the official ribbon cutting of the JAE Dance Center, its first permanent home and a new hub for Haitian arts, culture, and community in Boston.
- Jean Appolon is named Artist in Residence at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- December 31, 2025: Completed the initial core and shell fit-out for the JAE Dance Center
JAE is named Headliner at the EDANCO Festival in the DR, marking a major international milestone.
The Summer Dance Institute returns to Haiti, continuing its international reach and impact.
- First Summer Dance Institute in the Dominican Republic
- World premiere of Traka, presented by Global Arts Live at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
The Summer Dance Institute expands in Lawrence, MA, deepening JAE’s impact in local communities.
A pivotal year of adaptation and growth:
- JAE transitions to virtual and outdoor programming amid the global pandemic
- Launch of Virtual SDI in Lawrence, MA
- JAE enters the Powering Cultural Futures Cohort, a six year funding initiative with The Barr Foundation and The Community Foundation and is awarded the Cultural Investment Grant (CIG) from The City of Boston
- Jean Appolon (Founder and Artistic Director) and Meghan McGrath (Executive Director) begin working full-time with JAE
Vwayaj is performed at major Boston venues:
- Calderwood Pavilion (2018)
- Lyric Stage Company (2019)
Lakou Ayiti premiered at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Angaje is presented at Boston Center for the Arts and Harlem School of the Arts (in collaboration with Haiti Cultural Exchange).
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Massachusetts, co-founded by Jean Appolon and Stephanie Scherpf.
Jean begins performing and teaching in schools across Greater Boston with a small collective of dancers and drummers, marking the early formation of the professional company.
The first Summer Dance Institute (SDI) takes place in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, launched by Jean Appolon and mentor Nailah Randall-Bellinger. This program becomes the foundation of JAE’s mission, providing free, high-quality arts and cultural education to youth.
Jean begins teaching Haitian folkloric dance with live drumming at The Dance Complex, establishing deep roots in Boston’s dance community.
Jean Appolon moves from Haiti to Boston, beginning his artistic journey in the United States.
