Summer Dance Institute
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: July 7-19, 2025
Roxbury, MA: July 28–August 1, 2025
SDI Mini-Documentary Teaser
We’re proud to share a teaser of our award-winning short film capturing the 2024 Summer Dance Institute (SDI) in Santo Domingo, with glimpses of our 2023 program in Haiti.
The 10-minute documentary, honored with the Indie Spec Best Content Award at the Boston International Film Festival, shares how JAE’s free, immersive program uses dance, yoga, and cultural dialogue to support healing and connection for youth ages 5–18.
Since 2006, JAE has reached over 2,100 young people across Haiti, Massachusetts, and the Dominican Republic through our Kiltirèl Conexiones (Cultural Connections) approach.
Want to watch the full film?
Donate $50 or more by Haitian Flag Day (May 18) to receive exclusive access to the full documentary. Your gift helps us keep SDI free for all participants.
Executive Producer: Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)
Director and Co-Executive Producer: Stephanie Briones
Editor: Tery Sanmaray Gil
Sound: Efrain Rojas | Grupo Acebo Alto
Color Grading and Additional Photography: Raymi Guzmán
A free program for youth aged 5–18,
exploring connection, culture, and healing through dance.
“I enjoyed dancing because it expresses love and allows everything to be expressed, letting it flow and allowing expression.”
Thank you to Movement Arts Creation Studio for making the Summer Dance Institute possible.
JAE is deeply committed to return to the Dominican Republic from July 7–19, 2025, and to expand programming to Roxbury, MA, from July 28–August 2, 2025. This year’s theme, Kiltirèl Conexiones (Cultural Connections), uses dance to foster dialogue, understanding, and hope while addressing racial equity and healing past discord between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Through daily classes in yoga, meditation, Afro-Contemporary, Horton Modern, Haitian Folkloric, and multimedia arts, students build connections and delve into shared cultural histories. JAE will facilitate meaningful discussions with youth and their families to explore the cultural and historical ties between Haitian and Dominican communities, fostering dialogue and strengthening relationships between the two nations.
Takeaways from these discussions will be woven into the Summer Dance Institute’s final showcase, where dance performances and community speakers will highlight reflections on racial equity, healing, and unity, celebrating the shared experiences and connections between the two cultures.
Since 2006, the Summer Dance Institute has empowered over 2,100 young people, offering clean drinking water, nutritious meals, and safe transportation to ensure accessibility for all.
Local Partners in Santo Domingo, DR: Fundación Funtepod and Centro de Danza Peniel
Roxbury Summer Dance Institute Sign-Up
July 28–August 1, 2025
Open to youth ages 5-18. Participants will work toward a culminating performance for their families. Daily attendance is required.
All ages will be learning and dancing together within community, as traditionally done in African learning systems.
