Compas Through the Work of Cliford and Gaëlle Jasmin

Cliford and Gaëlle Jasmin are undoubtedly Haiti’s most iconic couple when it comes to social dancing. For several years now, this duo—partners both in life and on stage—has shared its expertise with a wide audience, grounded in internationally recognized mastery of the practice and teaching of Caribbean social dances. The Jasmin couple has left its mark on Haiti’s cultural landscape through numerous initiatives. Most notably, they launched Haiti’s first national compas dance competition, the Konpa Dance Challenge (KDC), and published a book in 2022 titled All About Compas/Konpa Dance: Haiti’s Social Dance. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of compas direct, let us dance through the pages of the Jasmins.