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CCF Executive Director Peter Pucci launch’s a 3 year program to support Dance Teachers at the 36th Annual Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase at Goucher College

The 36th Annual Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase (MPHSDS) took place on January 9, 2026, at Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium. Executive Director Peter Pucci working closely with Suzanne Henneman, the Director of the Dance Showcase in coordinating a three year program to pay an honorarium to every teacher who teaches at the showcase. CCF believes it’s important to recognize, honor and value the importance of dance teachers.
CCF Teaching Artist Adrienne Klaus Latanishen leads a Musical Theater class at MPHSDS.
CCF Teaching Artist Adrienne Klaus Latanishen leads a Musical Theater class at MPHSDS.
Executive Director Peter Pucci with Suzanne Henneman, Director of the 36th Annual Maryland Public high School Dance Showcase(MPHSDS).
Executive Director Peter Pucci with Suzanne Henneman, Director of the 36th Annual Maryland Public high School Dance Showcase(MPHSDS).
CCF Teaching Artist Amy Young-Kleinendorst leads a Paul Taylor technique class at MPHSDS.
CCF Teaching Artist Amy Young-Kleinendorst leads a Paul Taylor technique class at MPHSDS.
CCF Associate Teaching Artist Gabby Pfeifer with dancers from the QACHS Dance Company who performed Gabby’s choreography Inner Chaos at MPHSDS performance.
CCF Associate Teaching Artist Gabby Pfeifer with dancers from the QACHS Dance Company who performed Gabby’s choreography Inner Chaos at MPHSDS performance.
The KIHS Dance Company dancers performed Nadia Wilde’s choreography Fading Echoes at the MPHSDS.
The KIHS Dance Company dancers performed Nadia Wilde’s choreography Fading Echoes at the MPHSDS.

The showcase day, which immerses students in professional masterclasses across diverse dance styles, opened with a keynote address from Peter Pucci. He spoke to dance students from schools across Maryland, sharing the story of teacher Carole Cascio, who inspired him to carry forward her legacy through the organization founded in her honor. He encouraged the students to recognize the lasting influence of their dance educators, the teachers at the showcase and to see their artistic paths as part of something larger.

CCF Teaching Artist Adrienne Kraus Latanishen taught two master classes in Musical Theater, Peter taught two classes in Pilobolus style partnering classes and a CCF Associate Teaching Artist was represented with her choreography Inner Chaos the was performed by by Queen Anne’s County High School Dance Company.

Pfeifer’s (a former All-State Dancer from Kent Island High School) return to the event represented a full-circle moment as she choreographed QACHS’s first-ever piece accepted into the evening Showcase Concert, bridging past student success with present instructional excellence. The QACHS Dance Instructor, Kristen Tyler, reflected on the experience, noting that the showcase allowed her students to demonstrate their talents through Ms. Pfeifer’s choreography and build community with dancers across the state.

Amber Wright’s Dance Program at (KIHS), was honored as her group was also selected to perform and earned the Professionalism Award for the first time and was a significant achievement for the program. Also, two KIHS dancers were awarded $1,000 annual scholarships to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Dance Department, an honor given to only four dancers statewide. Also, three KIHS dancers we recognized as 2025-26 Allstate Dancers, Nadia Wilde Dylan Miller and Emily Dryer.

The concert was attended by Peter and Michael Bell, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for QACPS. Through Pucci’s continued partnership with Michael, Queen Anne’s County students have benefited exponentially from expanded access to high-quality dance and innovative movement experiences across all grade levels — from visiting teaching artists and masterclasses to authentic performance opportunities like Days of Dance and statewide showcases.

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