From local church to world stage: Caleb Exantus promotes Haitian culture through Konpa Dance

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — When you first meet Haitian American dancer and choreographer Caleb Exantus, you might never guess that this gentle, smiley-faced, soft-spoken 34-year-old is the same electrifying performer who packs dance floors and convention halls around the world. Clips of his viral videos also attract millions of viewers across social media platforms. Raised in one of the most conservative Christian families in Haiti’s northwest region, men like Exantus were expected to become preachers, following in his patriarch’s footsteps. Instead, Exantus found his calling in the pulsing beat of Konpa music, using dance to share Haitian culture with the world.

“Kite Konpa mache [Let Konpa rule],” Exantus often says with a big, captivating smile. “I believe God gave me a different kind of ministry. Instead of preaching from the pulpit, I spread the message of Haitian culture through every Konpa step I teach.” 

Born in Delmas 19, northeast Port-au-Prince, Exantus was raised—until age 6—in a small Bombardopolis community where church life was paramount. After that, he moved with his parents and siblings to South Florida, where he mostly grew up, singing hymns and attending church services and Bible studies multiple times a week. While these early experiences instilled in him a sense of discipline and commitment, they left little room for creative expression outside of religious activities.

Today, he performs on stages and teaches the signature rhythms of Haiti worldwide. 

From Bombardopolis to South Florida

Growing up among many Haitians who know his family well, the young Exantus has carried a heavy evangelical leadership legacy dating back to the early 1950s. His grandfather, the late Rev. Paul Exantus, was the pastor of a Nazarene Church in Faligan, Bombardopolis, Haiti. His father, Rev. Steve Daniel Exantus, is one of the most prominent and respected figures in the Haitian immigrant community of Broward County, Florida, where he has been pastoring since arriving in the United States in the 1990s. 

 “People may be shocked because I am a pastor’s son, and my grandfather was a pastor, too,” Exantus says. “But dancing and teaching Konpa music, an essential part of our culture, is not sacrilege to my faith. I am  just making Haiti’s values, traditions, and culture known and appreciated while enjoying myself.”

Exantus’ appreciation for Konpa has greatly evolved. “It is not just a mere pastime,” he insists. “For me, Konpa has become a powerful connector between Haitian Americans and their heritage and between Haitians and the rest of the world.”

 “People may be shocked because I am a pastor’s son, and my grandfather was a pastor, too. But dancing to Konpa music, an essential part of our culture, is also a way to show affection and joy. Whether they are devoted worshipers or not, people don’t make love while listening to the Christian songs reserved for worshiping God. They use music to spice things up, and more often than not, Konpa music accomplishes this.”

Caleb Exantus, Konpa Dance Instructor and Founder of CEX Team

Additionally, Exantus considers Konpa music a way for people to share affection and love with one another. “Whether they are devoted Christians or not, people don’t make love while listening to Christian songs or music. They use music to spice things up, and more often than not, they use Konpa music to achieve that,” Exantus adds.

Still, the self-declared family man and soon-to-be father of two argues that embracing Konpa does not make him quit the church or diminish his devotion to God, as some might think. Nevertheless, the rhythms of Haitian music—driven by vibrant guitars, steady percussion, drumbeats, and soulful horns—have captured his heart. 

Exantus began practicing Konpa dance in the Haitian-heavy Miami cultural clubs and friend circles during his college years, emulating the steps and moves he observed at local celebrations. 

Although contemporary Haitian churches adopt different variations of Konpa music, some conservative communities regard social dancing with caution and view the musical style as too secular. “Sa a se mizik lemond,” many often say, referring to Konpa.

Raised with modesty, humility, Christian values and traditions

“My father always says,” Exantus remembers: “‘Sa men dwat bay, men goch pa bezwen konnen,’” a Creole expression emphasizing discretion and humility. 

The dancer is often reminded of the modesty and tradition espoused by his family. “Even though my father has never pressured me to be a pastor,” he says, “professional dancing was not exactly on his radar for me.”

 “How are you Haitian, and you don’t love your culture? You don’t want to dance Konpa, speak Creole, or even acknowledge you are Haitian. Look how big Haitian culture has become!—our music, our dance, and our food.”

Caleb Exantus, Konpa Dance Instructor and Founder of CEX Team

The Konpa Dance teacher, the firstborn of a family of four children—including three boys and one girl—shows great gratitude toward his mother, Mercenieuse Petithomme Exantus, who sadly passed away in 2023 due to cancer. 

“In contrast to my father, who often and perhaps unconsciously behaves embarrassingly toward me, my late mother was always there for me and very supportive. She encouraged me in my endeavors,” the young man confides to The Haitian Times, almost in tears.

“My mom taught me to always treat people respectfully,” he said. “She would tell me: ‘Don’t be soumoun [don’t be fresh with others]; always be calm and confident in your work; never be cocky. People will have an opinion of you even when they don’t know you.’ I keep those words close to my heart.”

https://fb.watch/wPJgwCBgV0

Being a son, father and husband, Exantus is also grateful to his wife, Wilande. She has supported his time-consuming career as a dancer and financial banker for the past decade. “Making room for both and raising a young family simultaneously is a balancing act for me,” he says. “I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife, whose support has been impeccable and unwavering. She understands what makes me happy and appreciates my professional life.”

Teaching the world through a replicable system

“Konpa to the World,” Exantus often exclaims, describing his system’s mission and vision to conquer the globe by making people understand Haitian culture.

The 34-year-old is outspoken about the importance of cultural pride, often encouraging fellow Haitians to celebrate their language, food, and music openly wherever they reside.

“There are three things that bond people together the most: food, music, and sports,” he said. “Our food is doing very well. But our music is phenomenal. People don’t understand our vibrant culture because we don’t promote our music enough. For me, Konpa, an expression of our Haitian voice, is the way to do it.”

Exantus believes that teaching the world makes people respect Haitian culture more. While working hard on the world stage, he continues to influence younger generations of Haitians and those of Haitian descent in the diaspora as well.  

“How are you Haitian or of Haitian origin, and you don’t love your culture?” Exantus recently asked in a Facebook post. “You don’t want to dance Konpa, speak Creole, or even acknowledge that you are Haitian. I understand that back in the day, some of you were afraid to tell people you were Haitians because they would fight or disrespect you. Nowadays, almost everyone respects our culture. Look how big Haitian culture has become!—our music, our dance, and our food,” he added.

The dancer has amassed a devoted following worldwide through his signature company, CEX Team—short for Caleb Exantus Team. Initially, he taught small Konpa workshops, which grew through word of mouth alone. What started as a sideline passion quickly became a full-time vocation as Exantus traveled across the United States—and eventually the world—to share Konpa’s unique techniques and cultural roots.

Each place he goes, he will teach and then establish a CEX Team with instructors ready to lead and willing to continue spreading the culture there while replicating his teaching model.

Today, Exantus stands among the most recognized Konpa dancers and instructors internationally, touring festivals, competitions, concerts, dance congresses, and cultural events from Tampa, Florida; Paris, France; and the Netherlands to Ukraine; from Las Vegas, Nevada; to Brooklyn, New York; to Montreal, Canada; and from Thailand to Nairobi, Kenya; and Dubai, UAE. The CEX Team is now present on six of the seven continents. Classes combine the structured grace of traditional Haitian Konpa steps with modern and fusion styles, delighting both novices and seasoned dancers.

Beyond techniques, Exantus weaves stories about Haiti’s exceptional and illustrious history, as well as the excellence and endurance of Haitians throughout his lessons. He believes that this context is essential for truly understanding and respecting the art form.

Exantus has gained recognition for his work promoting Haitian culture through Konpa dance, with several major achievements highlighting his impact. In December, he won the Mundi Music Awards (MMA) for Best International Dancer at a glamorous ceremony in Dubai, beating competitors like Sydney Blaylock, Jenny Bosenge, Kkaylee Bays, and Lévy Cayuga. He sees this award as proof of his success in sharing Haiti’s culture with audiences around the world. 

His journey started in 2017 when his team took first place at Florida Atlantic University’s Best Haitian Dance Troupe competition and earned second place the following year. In 2021, Haitians Who Blog named him Dance Creative of the Year for his unique choreography and contributions to the Haitian diaspora’s art scene.

Everything you need to know about Konpa

Konpa, sometimes spelled “Compas,” its French morphology, is the modern dance music of Haiti, credited to bands led by musicians Némours Jean-Baptiste and Webert Sicot in the 1950s. Known for its lively tempo, joyful flavor, and the close, graceful dance style that accompanies it, Konpa has long been a staple of Haitian festivities and social gatherings.

Exantus teaches all three primary forms of Konpa styles: traditional (Konpa Dirèk), modern, and fusion.

• Traditional Konpa, also known as Konpa Dirèk, is the original form of the Konpa dance that emerged alongside the music genre created by Jean-Baptiste and Sicot. Structured rhythms and harmonic arrangements characterize it.

Key features of Traditional Konpa:

• Emphasis on close partner work.
• Smooth, flowing movements.
• A two-step dance/fundamental called “kare” (square).
• Formal and structured approach to dancing.

• Modern Konpa, often called Konpa Gouyad, evolved from the traditional style as Konpa music underwent some transformations. This style emerged as dancers and stage choreographers sought to express themselves more freely and sensually within the Konpa framework.

Key features of Modern Konpa include:

• Slower, more sensual variation of traditional Konpa.
• Focus on body isolations, particularly hip movements.
• Emphasis on emotional and sensual expression through dance.
• More adaptable to contemporary music trends.
• Incorporation of elements from other dance styles and urban culture.

• Fusion Styles, including Mini-Jazz Konpa, represent the most recent evolution of Konpa dance. These styles blend traditional Konpa elements with influences from other dance forms and musical genres.

Key features of Fusion Styles Konpa:

• Incorporation of elements from various dance traditions (e.g., salsa, zouk, kizomba).
• More experimental and eclectic in nature.
• Often performed to music that blends traditional Konpa rhythms with modern influences.
• Smaller bands and the incorporation of urban culture elements (specific to Mini-Jazz Konpa).
• Greater freedom for individual expression and creativity.

The post From local church to world stage: Caleb Exantus promotes Haitian culture through Konpa Dance appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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From local church to world stage: Caleb Exantus promotes Haitian culture through Konpa Dance was first posted on December 31, 2024 at 10:07 am.