Barbara El Wilson, Executive Director
Is thrilled with this wonderful opportunity to debut Sugarfoots Performing Arts Camp in the Nation's Capital! She is a graduate of Howard University's Drama Department, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and has also taught at the Duke Ellington School for the Performance Arts. She is an accomplished actress, comedienne, and storyteller and has performed throughout the Washington metropolitan area and the East Coast. With this rich blend of theatrical talents, Ms. Wilson brings to the art of storytelling a unique fusion of improvisation, movement, and comic overture. She has worked with celebrity artists such as Ruby Dee, the late Ossie Davis, Patti Labelle, and Bill Cosby. She is a dedicated and committed performer and delights audiences wherever her path may lead her. She founded her multi-cultural rag doll company in 1992 and has been thrice featured in Essence Magazine, The Washington Post, and the local television news hour.

Artists in Residence
Robert Northern(a.k.a. Brother Ah), Music Director
Robert Northern richly known as Brother Ah is the musical director of the World Music Ensemble. He specializes in Wind Instruments, African Drums, and Percussions. As a lecturer and instructor he taught at the Levine School of Music, Sewell Music Conservatory, D.C. public and private schools and lectures at Howard University, UDC, University of Maryland, Smithsonian Institution and Kennedy Center. He has also taught at Brown University in Rhode Island (9 years), Dartmouth College in New Hampshire (3 year) just to name a few. Brother Ah is a performer, educator, lecturer, composer and arranger both in Western and non-Western traditions. He has composed and directed numerous extended works. (Brother Ah) as a French hornist has played and recorded with musical greats including Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Sun Ra, Dizzy Gillespie, Eric Dolphy, Max Roach, John Lewis and many more.

His classical performances include the New York Metropolitan Opera (stage band), George Solti, conductor; the Symphony of the Air, Leopold Stokowski; conductor; Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, Raymond Page, conductor; symphony orchestra in Vienna, Austria and West

Patrick Ellis, Visual Arts, Props, Set Design
In the combination of experience educating children, liturgical and theological studies (with advanced degrees in each), and talents as an artist with extraordinary range, Sugarfoots Performing Arts Camp has struck gold! Dr. Ellis' works can be seen in churches and galleries throughout the Washington metropolitan area. He continues to wow us with his extraordinary talents.

Nancy Newell, Choreographer
It was time to cash in the girlfriend card and call upon Nancy to join Sugarfoots as the choreographer! Nancy has worked with Sugarfoots in the past and her teaching and dance experience was an absolute must have for this camp. Nancy Newell currently is the founder and Executive Director of D.C. Dance Collective studio located at 4909 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016. Once again we are thrilled to have her on board and cannot wait to see her experience at work!

Aakhu Freeman, Acting Instructor
Aakhu TuahNera Freeman is an actor, educator and writer. In addition to performing at Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth Theatre and Theatre Alliance, as well as other local and national venues, her instruction experience ranges from teaching acting as a graduate student at American University to doing the same at Oak Hill Youth Detention Center; from interactive children's workshops at Ford's Theatre to teaching theatre and directing productions at Everyday Theatre Youth Ensemble, a social outreach theatre that dealt with using musical theatre in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. Ms. Freeman also taught and directed at the Me, Myself & I Girls Summer Performing Arts Camp and the Encore Stage & Studio Summer Theatre Workshop. We look forward to bringing her considerable talents to the youth of Sugarfoots!

Sana Kifafi - Unit One, Ages 5-6
Watching Sana work with children is like watching the Pied Piper! Children will follow her anywhere. This unique ability working with the youngest in the camp, Sana makes it looks so easy. She is a gifted teacher, originally from Jordan, and is bi-lingual, speaking fluent Arabic and English. She is currently on summer break from Community Academy Public Charter Schools. This is her third year working with Ms. Wilson and we would have it no other way!

Rachel Smith - Unit Two, Ages 7-8
This is Rachel's first year with the Sugarfoots family and we could not be happier. The youthful energy and dedication she brings to the camp is just invaluable. She is currently pursuing a nursing degree at Howard University. She works part time with Community Academy Public Charter Schools as a Teacher's Assistant. We look forward to seeing her put her expertise to work. When you meet her, you will know immediately why she is on staff!

Denise Alston - Unit Three, Ages 9-10
This is the second year that Sugarfoots has had the pleasure to work with Denise. This native Washingtonian teaches pre-kindergarten at Butler Bilingual Community Academy Charter School. Her level of creativity in a classroom is astonishing. She takes the subject matter and explores every aspect of it with her students. Having Denise on staff is having peace of mind! When there is a task to be done, Denise can always be counted on that the job will not only be completed, but completed well! She is truly an asset to the Sugarfoots Performing Arts Camp!

Jamila Wooten - Unit Four, Ages 11 - 13
This is Jamila‘s first year working with Sugarfoots. Although Jamila has a BA in Social Work from Livingstone College, her hidden passion has led her to pursue a career in education! Her enthusiasm and love of children is highly welcomed! During the year she is a pre-school teacher and mentor working at the Community Academy, Public Charter School. We are very excited to have Jamila on staff this year!