Julio Jean

Julio Jean is a renowned Haitian dance teacher and choreographer who blends traditional Haitian forms with modern and contemporary dance to create compelling movement narratives. His extensive career includes working with Katherine Dunham and performances of his choreographies at the Ailey Citigroup Theater and Central Park’s Summer Stage. Julio studied with Lavinia Williams, a company member of Katherine Dunham, at the National School of Arts in Haiti. In 1989, he moved to New York City and worked directly with Katherine Dunham, teaching traditional Haitian dance for her teacher trainings. Julio has been a guest teacher at Webster University in Saint Louis and Humboldt University in California. He has also taught workshops in San Francisco, Milwaukee, at the Dance New England Dance Camp in Maine, and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). He spent several years teaching in New York City at Lezly's, Fareta, and Djoniba Dance and Drum Center. Currently, Julio teaches at Cumbe/651 Arts in Brooklyn and at Sharron Miller in Montclair, New Jersey. Julio is also a songwriter and composer of traditional and popular Haitian music; his album Kenbe La and other tracks are available on all online music distribution platforms.