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About Me

Known throughout her community of “Teacher Suzan,” she more than earns that title through her dedication to the performing arts. Acting as the sole proprietor of The Cultural Arts Studio for the past 25 years, Suzan Richards strives to preserve and share the Afro Caribbean culture. Through a variety of classes working your dexterity, she wants to energize your body and soul through the art of dancing. Everyone has a story to tell through the power of movement, regardless of age, size, or disability. Come tell us your story.

Her Training

Suzan started her journey in the performing arts at the age of 4. After her parents enrolled in
classical ballet classes at the local community centre, she went on to train in formal dance at
The Montreal Jazz Dance Academy.This gave her the opportunity, including touring with
South African singer Lorraine Klassen, one of Canada's top world beat performers and Tandie
Klassen, a South African singer and anti-apartheid activist. She also trained with The West Can Folk Performing Company  as a company dancer.

After this experience, Suzan’s fervor
in cultural artistic roots through dance grew. She’s introduced her style of dance through
various schools and community programs in the Ottawa/Outaouais region. She is currently a
professional artist with MASC (Multicultural Arts In Schools & Communities).

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Artistic Accomplishments

  • Nominee in the category of Healthy Living for the YWCA-YMCA Woman of Distinction

  • Recipient of the 3's Company Cultural Mosaic Award

  • The Global Community Alliance Award

  • The Jamaica Ottawa Community Association Heroes Award in the category of Business.

  • United Way Community Builder Award and is very proud to have her name inscribed on "The Wall of

       Inspiration" in the Jean Pigott hall of Ottawa's city hall.

  • Leading Women Building Communities Recognition Award from the province of Ontario

  • Letter of recognition from City Council for the opening of The Cultural Arts Studio 

in September 2017, a first of its kind in the city.

  • She has choreographed award winning dance pieces at the Junior Caribbean Dance Festival in Toronto and the Ottawa Dance Festival

  • She was a member/choreographer for Voices of Praise Gospel Choir who has performed with Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Maya Angelou and Coretta Scott King.

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