A United Caribbean Dance Force
L"Acadco · L'Antech · Contemporary · Nonprofit Organization
L'Acadco:
A United Caribbean Dance Force
The Shining Star in Every Arena
About Us
Industry-Leading Dance Company in the Caribbean
L’ACADCO – A United Caribbean Dance Force, is widely regarded as Jamaica's leading contemporary dance company. The Company’s membership has included dancers from Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Bermuda, Cuba, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. These talented dancers represent the best in the Caribbean. In 1978, Jamaican dancer and choreographer, Dr. L’Antoinette Stines, founded Miami’s first Black dance company, L’ACADCO. Returning to Jamaica in 1982 she continued to grow with her company and together they have become dynamic ambassadors for Jamaican culture, through dance, and advocates for its preservation and development.
Our Mission
To employ dance as a teaching instrument, ensuring growth and development for members of our immediate and wider communities. To promote identity specificity in dance. To present excellent performances both nationally and internationally at events representing Jamaica and the Caribbean. To provide both theoretical and practical training focusing on inclusion of marginalized students with the intention of preparing them towards viable professions in the performing arts as practitioners and teachers. To be the shining star in every arena and most important to BUILD BRIDGES THROUGH THE ARTS PRESENTING THE HOLISTIC BEAUTY OF JAMAICA AS SPIRIT MIND AND BODY IN ONE HARMONY KNOWING THAT DANCE IS FROM A SPIRITUAL SPACE.
We are L'Antech
L'antech is an eclectic Caribbean contemporary technique (CARIMOD), which synthesizes African influences, Caribbean Folklore and is dominated by Jamaican Afro-Caribbean forms.
Due to the fact that this technique is the synerbridging of opposing and similar retention from the Caribbean and European terpsichorean material it therefore has the base and stabilizing elements of classical ballet and material.
L'antech teaches the body unity of Body, Mind and Spirit - thus making it very distinctive.
Photos taken by Dash Productions
Our Artistic Director
Dr. L’Antoinette Stines is a dancer, choreographer, actress, teacher/lecturer, administrator, author and visionary. Creator of L’Antech, a modern contemporary Caribbean Dance Technique, Dr. Stines continues to impact on the direction and future of Caribbean dance. Dr. Stines has a long and varied performing history, which ranges from classical ballet to Yoruba “Orisha” dance. Her dance career began in Jamaica with Alma Mok Yen, continued to the Martha Graham School and finally through to Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Regarded as an expert in popular, folkloric Jamaican dance and the development of contemporary dance, Dr. Stines has lectured in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and North and South America.
Using L’ACADCO as her canvas, Dr. Stines’ choreographic work is inspired by the virility of her island’s culture and ancestry, the sensuality of its people and the natural mystic in the air.
Photos taken by Dash Productions
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |
Photo taken by Jik-Reuben/Nickii Kane
Meet The Company
The team of dancers, drummers, and moko- jumbie (stilt walkers) at L'Acadco work hard in order to produce compelling performances for international audiences. We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for their amazing talent and hard work. These are the faces behind the one of the top dance companies in the Caribbean.
Jessica Shaw started training with the Vickers’s Ballet Studio from age 3. She pursued the Royal Academy of Dance examinations up to grade 8. In 2012, Jessica graduated from the Edna Manley College with a Bachelor of Arts in Performance and Choreography. Currently, Jessica is a part-time lecturer at the Edna Manley College School of Dance, Artistic Director of the St. Andrew's High School for Girls Dance Troupe.
Orville McFarlane is a driven dancer who completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. He is also an aspiring choreographer and a performer with L'Acadco
Shaneaka Gibbs is a graduate of the Edna Manley college of the visual and performing arts, who hails from the spice island of Grenada. She started her dance training at the age of 4 where her exposure to many dance genres begun helping her journey to becoming a diverse dancer. She continues to aspire to becoming a full time performer and teacher.
Jeneille Greenland's dream of being a dancer came to reality at the age of 4. At such a young age,she was seen with such potential and was given the privilege to be exposed to training and skills in performing at the Edna Manley Jamaica School of Dance Junior Department. After graduating from the school at age 18 she began her studies overseas. Though not in the field of dance she never lost her passion for the art.
Yakeem Reid, a gifted and vivacious spirit, takes pleasure in expressing himself through both the visual and the performing arts. He began his training in 2011 at the Ardenne High School, after which he joined the company in 2013. His aim is to make the best of his facilities as he continues his journey with L'Acadco.
Samantha Daley's love for dance started at age 3 when she took ballet classes with Cathy-Ann Gibbon at Vaz Prep School. She has danced with Praise Academy, Cathi Levy's Little People and Teen Players Club and The Queen's School Dance Troupe. Samantha graduated from Edna Manley School of Dance Junior Department in 2009. She holds a BSc in Entrepreneurship from the University of the West Indies and currently works as a Sales Representative for EuroBrands Trading.
Aaliyah Hall, the President of Campion College Dance Society started dancing at age 11. She is the epitome of "seen and not heard" as dancing is the channel of which she expresses her true thoughts and emotions. This driven dancer also sings and strive to become the shining star in every arena.
Aldaine Daye is super passionate about dance and believe it will forever be apart of his life. He was introduced to L'Acadco and started training with Dr. Stines; It as been his home of dance ever since. He strongly believes that every time he dances he turns into a better version of himself. "He Dances To Express Not To Impress"
At 5'10 and 17 years old Tiffani Smith is appreciative of her signature long legs and uses them to their full potential by dancing from the age of 3. Maintaining honours academically through Campion College, while dancing with the Campion Dance society was achieved as a result of long hours dedicated to not just books but also to dance. It has taught her discipline and effective time management. Dancing is not what she does, it has become who she is. "Why walk when you can dance"-T. S
Leah-Sarah Clayton started her training at Mona Preparatory School where she practiced gymnastics, ballet and dance. She trained with the ESOR Dance Ensemble and Nishida's Gymnastics during her early childhood years and was also a member of the Ardenne Dance Troupe. Leah was introduced to L'Acadco at the age of 12 when she applied for an internship in 2013 and became and apprentice for the company at the age of 16 where she now continues her passion for dance.
Photos taken by Dash Productions
Photos taken by Renee McDconald
Drum XPLOSION
L’Acadco Drummers has been around the dance company since 1986. Starting with Carl Messado, whom is considered the “godfather” of all L’Acadco Drummers past and present and having being the first Musical Director of the company Binghi was brought to the stage and that was the first dance the company had being done with drums. As years rolled by, other musicians stopped by, leaving their insignia that will be timeless and help in building the repertoire of the company. Ras Happa’s era came along after Messado and developed rhythm for one of L’Acadco’s trademark dances entitled “Honfour of the Drums”. This dance was a high energy filled dance that challenged the stamina of any drummer who would play, whether Djembe, Bass, Conga or other associated instruments. Following the foot-steps of Ras Happa is Aaron Vereen who turned up the heat on drummers adding another level to the foundation set by Messado. Aaron brought his knowledge of traditional African drums from the Volta Region in Ghana after studying there for approximately 3 years and also added a name for the drummers dubbed “L’Acadco Drum Xplosion” and is still used today.
Kadane Cespedes is a Drummer/Percussionist at L'Acadco. He loves to play around with sounds to create music and he is always trying to find new ways to improve on his gift as a musician. He is vibrant, energetic, optimistic, flexible and a good team player, and he projects those qualities on stage.
Job Clarke otherwise known as Lansana {master of the d'jembe} has been drumming for over 22 years. His Talent and drive has caused him to win many competition and drum with different groups. However his heart is with the company and he continues to shine in every arena.
Photos taken by Dash Productions and Renee McDconald
Contact Us
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our performance schedule, events and work.
Address:
39 First Avenue Kingston Jamaica
Email:
Phone:
18769382039