Owner/Director/Coach
Nicole Haynes
Our founder, lovingly known as “Coach Nicole”, is a multi-dimensional entrepreneur. She has over 20 years of experience in operating and directing a program of this magnitude. Nicole is a highly trained and certified instructor and coach of both competitive cheerleading and dance. She has coached and led her teams in receiving a multitude of nationally ranked and grand champion awards over the years.
Nicole has had the privilege and honor of training some of the areas most talented dancers and cheerleaders who have gone on to successfully enter and continue to take the professional cheer and dance arena by storm! She has also had the pleasure of leading church dance ministries and has successfully directed and coordinated several showcases and praise festivals over the years.
Nicole strongly believes and lives by the principle “It Takes A Village.” She often reminds those around her, “If you work hard, then play harder.”
For I know the plans I have for you, say the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Dance Belief: I dance for an audience of One!
Artistic Director
Instructor/Choreographer/Mentor
De'sja Armani
De’sja was introduced and began her dance journey at the young age of 4, where she was skillfully and technically trained, by her mother, in all-star competitive cheerleading and dance. De’sja excelled exceedingly and abundantly in both, leading her teams to many national championships and first place titles.
De’sja was selected to attend Thomas G. Pullen where she was given the opportunity to explore many different art forms, where she fell deeper in love with the art of dance. Later during her middle school years, she attended Benjamin D. Foulouis Performing Arts Academy where she officially became a dance major. Throughout her middle school years she realized dance was her passion and wanted to further her education and training in dance. She auditioned and was accepted into the Center for Visual and Performing Arts program at Suitland High School (Class of 2016). For four years she intensely studied the art of dance and was afforded many opportunities to perform and work with many well known choreographers.
De’sja has spiked an interest in pouring into others, especially the younger community, what has been poured into her over the many years of her dance career. She enjoys mentoring, instructing and coaching others in the dance world and their everyday life!
Artistic Director
Instructor/Choreographer
Diamond Lashawn
Diamond began dancing and competing at the tender age of 2. She spent her entire grade school days majoring and studying dance in the Prince Georges County school system. She began at Benjamin D. Foulois Elementary & Middle School and graduated with honors from Suitland High School’s Creative and Visual Performing Arts program. Upon graduation, Diamond attended the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in Dallas Texas as a trainee where she completed two years of pre-professional training in a plethora of techniques, including but not limited to ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and her all-time favorite hip hop.
Diamond has been granted plenty of opportunities to study, dance, and work professionally with many dance pioneers in the industry. She’s danced background for Pharrell at Astro World, attended Kāos, and has had the honor of training with Desmond Richardson, Nigawwon Matthews, and an array of other renowned dancers.
Instructor/Choreographer
Ife Taylor
Dance has always been Ife’s first love. With roots in her home church in Washington, DC, Ife began to expand her dance portfolio by choreographing routines for local talent shows, national conferences, and schools teams. Upon graduation from high school, Ife enrolled at Virginia State University (VSU) where she continued to study dance and became a member and leader of Sankofa Dance Theatre. Under the mentorship of Dr. Brown, Ife flourished, honoring her craft and developing particular interest and expertise in choreography & creative direction as it relates to dance. Ife graduated from VSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Health & Recreation with a dance concentration.
Ife has trained under renowned choreographers like Willie Hinton, Tony Colden, Ann Holt and Camille A. Brown.
Dance Belief: Dance allows you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time.
Dance Quote: Leave Everything on the Floor!
Instructor/Choreographer
Shania Atkinson
Shania Atkinson’s journey into the world of dance began in the high-energy realm of cheerleading, where she honed her skills in choreography, rhythm, and teamwork. With a background that merges vibrant cheer routines with a love for dance, Shania brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and expressiveness to the stage.
Outside of the studio and stage, Shania enjoys exploring different dance styles and attending workshops to continually expand her horizons. Her commitment to dance is matched by her belief in its power to connect people and evoke emotion, making every performance a shared experience of joy and discovery.
Shania’s journey from cheerleader to dancer is a testament to her dedication and love for the art form. As she continues to explore and evolve as an artist, one thing remains constant: her unwavering commitment to bringing joy and energy to every dance floor she graces.