KRIYOL COLLECTIVE LLC
A Public Health Vision for Cultural Activism and Community Health.
A TEAM OF CREATIVES
VÉRONËQUE IGNACE
Founding Creative Director
A community-based Public Health Researcher, Cultural Activist, and Curating Performance Artist, Veroneque Ignace uses dance and writing to merge her passion for public heath and global health. With her movement she hopes complicate methods to social change and health equity, connecting spiritual balance and self-understanding to modes of recovery and restoration.
SEEYOU
Musical Director
Misere built a strong career playing with Haitian roots groups Tokay, Racine Mapou de Azor, Koudjay, Racine Origin, Zaka Ginen, Bagay Yo An Dekilakyel, Racine La Reine d'Haiti, and Djarara of Brooklyn, among others. Misere is devoted to presenting his rich culture on the world stage and advocating for the possibilities it provides for healing the individual, the community, and the country.
MONTINA
Vocalist & Drummer
Jean Montina is renowned vocalist in the Haitian community, though his talents include music production, music arrangement, drumming, and wind-instruments. Known for his work with Rasin Okan, a Haitian roots group which he leads, Djarara, and Brother High, two Brooklyn-based activist marching bands, Montina seeks to be an ambassador for Haitian musical culture and community.
MARLA ROBERTSON
Choreographer & Performing Artist
Dancer and educator Marla Nicole Robertson, hails from Memphis, Tennessee and is a firm believer in using dance for peace and release. She has worked and performed with several organizations and companies, including but not limited to, The Bantaba Dance Company of Memphis, Abule Fan Music and Dance of Memphis, the Williams College Kusika Dance Ensemble, Pittsfield Town Players, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Emily Johnson/Catalyst Dance and Allison Orr/Forklift Danceworks.
SHELLI LIGONDE
Performing Artist
From the age of two through her college career at UMass-Amherst, Shelli committed herself to rigorous dance training. With experience in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and dances of the African Diaspora, Shelli embodies her love for the dance field. In the present, Shelli incepts and co-instructs an Afro-Caribbean dance class, choreographs, and performs live regularly.
TRUDY PIERRE
Vocalist & Performing Artist
A longtime professional dancer and singer, Trudy Pierre has worked to elevate the presence of Haitian culture on the global stage and in her Brooklyn community. Trudy has performed with the international Haitian roots group Tokay, and also the New York City based dance group Kreyol Dancers. She currently belongs to Brooklyn-based roots group Rasin Okan, while also supporting the artistic efforts of Plezi Rara.
MAXINE MONTILUS
Performing Artist
Maxine Montilus is a native of Brooklyn, New York and a first-generation Haitian-American. Her training and dance credits are extensive. Maxine has a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Performance from The University of the Arts, an M.A. in Arts Management from City University London, and an M.A. in Dance Education from Hunter College via the Lincoln Center Scholars program.
OLIVIER JOSEPH
Spoken Word Specialist
Olivier Joseph is a 2016 graduate from Williams College and recipient of Fulbright Scholarship to Spain. His Haitian-American identity, among many others, has been a growing motivation and driving force for his poetry and work with Kriyol Dance! Collective. Olivier hopes to continue developing his spoken word as he undertakes his own work in black radicalism, Afro-Caribbean histories, and Afrolatinidad.
LAUREL O'CONNOR
Supporting Artist & Digital Content Creator
Laurel O’Connor is a lifelong dancer and creative mover. Laurel has formal training in Contemporary and West African dance traditions, but basically loves any form that opens space for the body to be honored, the ancestors to be respected, and people to be brought together in love.
RICHARD LOUISSAINT
Photo & Video Artist
Richard Louissant is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and photographer from New York City. A first-generation Haitian American, his portraiture and film work centers around underrepresented communities such as his own; highlighting the humanity of his subjects and their ability to persevere, find joy, invent and thrive against the odds.
