"I came to this world to dance my way through life. My body is my realest alphabet, dancing is my favorite language...and I've got stories to tell." -G.D.
Dansayiti: Dans=dance; Ayiti=Haiti
Dansayiti...
(The founder story)
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I have been dancing since the age of 6. After attending dance school on-and-off for about 10 years, I moved to Ottawa, Canada to pursue a university education and recently obtained my Bachelor's degree in Commerce/Finance. Before leaving my country, I asked God to let me pack one thing that I shall never lose: my passion for dance.
My wish was backed up when I was welcomed in Esans Kreyòl (a Haitian dance troupe at school) as dancer. I soon became the official co-choreographer and started performing at various events from cultural shows to weddings.
Through all the sweats, dance injuries, creative blocks, last minute wrap-ups, and improvised routines that you forget to film so they die in your memory, here I am years later, sharing all of it with a piece of the world.
DANSAYITI (pronounced dun-s'ah-yee-tee) is the identity of my heart as it represents two of the things that I love the most in my life, DANS (dance) and AYITI (Haiti). Whether through Haitian traditional dance (folklore) or any other melody or rhythm that makes my body speak, I want to show, learn, grow, and help others discover and reveal the dancer in their heart as well.
Sooo...shall we dance?
Gasline Deslouches
Mission
Promote and highlight the Haitian culture and history through dancing and encourage the Haitian youth especially in the Ottawa-Gatineau area to learn about, express, grow in, and share the beauty of their roots.
Vision
Make the Haitian community one of the best and most active group on a cultural and artistic basis in Canada through dancing.
Values
Dare: it is all about putting devotion to motion, leave your fears behind. Dance now, think later.
Accomplishment: celebrating all successes, no matter how small they are with a continuous positive energy and winning attitude.
Natural: every single person can bring a different, natural, unique touch or element to dancing
Strength: building body, heart, and soul strength in order to grow and better express the art
Assurance: being confident, yet humble. Discovering and trusting every uniquely possessed potential
Youth: youth is less a matter of age and more about the heart. Encouraging everyone to be young at heart
Inclusion: welcoming and encouraging the participation of everyone bringing their beautiful diversity in one mix - dance
Tenacity: perseverance is key. Whether we crawl, walk, run, or fly to our goals and dreams, we must keep moving forward
Inspiration: it is everywhere but most importantly within. It is up to us to learn how to find it and let it flow.