Artist Partners are artists who use our space consistently for classes, events, and workshops.
Resident Artists
Resident artists share our space for their creative business and organizations.
Substantial arts and music, llc
Substantial Art & Music, LLC (SAM) is an organization focused on providing consulting services to the art and music community. SAM was founded in 2017, by husband and wife duo, Stan “Substantial” Robinson and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson. Together they provide design and consulting services to emerging and established artists. Additionally, they provide art and music programming and advocacy.
Pictured: Sharon Anderson, Martina Parker, Dick Richards, and Ladel Lewis
Girl speak, Inc.
Girl Speak, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization designed to unite, educate, empower, and celebrate young ladies with and without disabilities through uniquely cultivated training, maximization of one’s potential, enrichment of various skills and transformation of the mind which will create a legacy, and a higher quality of life for themselves, their communities and worldwideAs a channel for young ladies, ages 11 to 24, Girl Speak promotes self-enrichment while facilitating life lessons that will enable them to discover and appreciate themselves, permitting them to build with other young ladies as they strive to live “out loud”. Girl Speak offers young women an opportunity to develop their “voice” using traditional and non-traditional designed activities.
HipNott records
HiPNOTT RECORDS is an independent record label founded in 2009 by Joseph Myles and Kevin Nottingham. In an effort to release good music by artists that deserve to be heard. It supports such artists as Jenna Camille, Donwill, Rob Cave, and Tanya Morgan as well as production duo The Other Guys.
Teaching Artists
Teaching artists lead ongoing classes and workshops at Creative Suitland. Discover our classes here.
Kermit banks & novella campbell, hand Dance Instructors
Kermit and Novella are graduates of Smooth and EZ Dance Institute and have been teaching in the DMV area for over 10 years. Their class is packed with energy and support from two additional instructors, giving participants a chance to graduate in Hand Dance, now officially recognized by the Smithsonian Institute as the Official Dance of Washington DC!
Mondays 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Advanced)
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:45pm (Beginners), 8:00pm - 9:30pm (Intermediate)
ANTON HOOPER, Salsa Dance Instructor
A native of the Washington DC Metro Area, Anton Hooper was born in Washington, DC and has lived in Prince George's County, Maryland since he could safely leave the hospital. He treats the area, rightfully, as his home, and works diligently to make certain that all who comes across is made to feel welcome in that home.
Anton’s dancing journey began in a chance encounter at a bar called The Clarendon Grill in Arlington in 2002. While he’s had a bit of a rough time starting, over the years he has grown and matured as a dance and was always willing to show other’s what he knew.
Salsa & Bachata, Thursdays 7:15pm - 9:15pm
NI DEMBAYA AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE ENSEMBLE
Ni Dembaya African Drum & Dance Ensemble is an African-centered educational and performance group started in Washington, DC, originally started by Yuma "Dr. Yew" Bellomee and “Bobo” Earl Rahjae Bellomee circa 2013, that has grown to include many members both local and abroad. Ni Dembaya's directors and lead choreographer, Shaleena Capers, have devoted much time to the study of music, dance, artistry and traditions from various areas throughout the African diaspora, to share for cultural, social, & historical awareness. Ni Dembaya's mission is to present traditional & modern rhythms, songs, and dances from African people worldwide as a tool to educate, inspire, uplift, promote wellness, empower, and connect people all over, especially those of African descent.
Drum Class, Sundays 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Dance Class, Sundays 3:30pm - 4:45pm
KATHERINE SMITH CONTEMPORARY DANCE ENSEMBLE (KSCDE)
KSCDE is committed to representing a high-level standard of excellence and artistry, traditionally preparing ALL dancers of today in the dedication and discipline to become future professional dance artists.
KSDCE represents two teaching artists at Creative Suitland:
Zahra Carpenter, Company Manager is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and received her BFA in Modern Dance from University of the Arts. As the Founder of Dancing Soulz, LLC Zahra has multiple projects going including D.C.H.U.G.S. (Dance Create Healthier Urbanites Grow Stronger) with a central thesis on address wellness & health concerns for minority dancers
Body Conditioning, Saturdays 9:00am - 10:00am
Nicole “Nikki’ Childress, Resident Traditional Choreographer, has performed with Alvin Ailey, Afro 1 Dance & Drum Theater, African Heritage, Kankouran West African Dance and Soul in Motion Players. Nikki is formerly a dance instructor and choreographer of BodyMoves in Fort Washington and SIMPINC’s Artistic Choreographer.
African Dance, Saturdays 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Jaime Sutton (Center)
Jaime sutton, tap Dance Instructor
Jaime began her dance journey at the age of 3, where she was enrolled at the Temple Hills Community Center. She later worked with several local institution including The Arlington Center for Dance, The Joyce Laverne Studio, The St. Thomas Moore Dance Studio, and Visual and Performing Arts Program at Suitland High School. After graduating from Suitland High school, she attended Marymount University to pursue a career in Interior Design and Architecture. While attending school full time, she still found time to teach children and adults of varying ages Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. In the winter of 2020, she decided to follow her lifelong dream of having a Tap Company Soles in Rhythm, located in Suitland, MD.
Adult Tap (Beginners), Sundays 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Adult Tap (Intermediate), Sundays 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Kevin Tisdale, hand Dance Instructor
Kevin L. Tisdale/Owner and Senior Lead Instructor trained in gained his Instructor Certification through the prestigious Instructor Certification Program (ICP) generated by Mr. Lawrence Bradford founder of Smooth & EZ Dance Institute. Kevin has been instructing for 12 years along with accruing 8 first place competitions 6 seconds and 3 third-place awards. Kevin is also a performer and choreographer of hand dancing.
Thursdays 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturdays 10:30pm - 12:00pm
Kenney ‘rollo’ davis, skating instructor
Kenneth Davis is a professional entertainer and producer with over thirty years of entertainment, performing, and producing experience in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He is the co-founder of Rolloway Productions, LLC, a entertainment production company incorporated in the District of Columbia in 2014 and located in Oxon Hill, Maryland. A professional roller skating performer and instructor, Mr. Davis has been at the forefront of skate-dancing for more than twenty years. Known as “Rollo”, he has presented and performed at numerous festivals, parades and other live events throughout the metropolitan DC area; is a two-time winner, Best Skate Couple (Adrenalin Awards; 2008 & 2010); a four-time winner of the renowned Apollo Theater Show Dog (televised amateur night) competition; and two-time “Third Place” winner of the Apollo’s annual Top Show Dog event (finals).
Sundays 3:00pm - 4:30pm