April 27 2026 Stevensville – The Carole Cascio Fund (CCF) proudly sponsored a successful choreographic residency at Kent Island High School (KIHS), led by Guest Teaching Artist Sylvia Soumah, Founder and Artistic Director of Coyaba Dance Theatre. The residency was conducted in collaboration with KIHS Director of Dance Amber Wright and CCF Teaching Artist Gabby Pfeifer.
Sylvia Soumah’s residency focused on developing a new West African-inspired work for the KIHS dance program. The new piece titled Amazon inspired by the Ivory Coast woman warriors and was created for the school’s annual dance concert, which was performed on April 27.
The residency provided an opportunity for students to learn a number of traditional West African dance steps, movements and drumming techniques. CCF Teaching Artist Gabby Pfeifer was instrumental during the sessions, participating in the classes and helping to guide and demonstrate Sylvia’s phrases for first-time students. Amber Wright, the Director of Dance at KIHS, hosted the classes, ensuring her students were prepared to perform the new choreography in their concert. This was the last show under her direction for the KIHS Dance program. Ms. Wright had been teaching for 30 years. She is also a noted graduate of the Dashiell School of Dancing.
Ms. Wright’s program recently earned the Professionalism Award at the 36th Annual Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase this past January Ms. Wright stated, “This is an award I’ve wanted for nearly twenty years,” reflecting her long dedication to the program. During her final school year, three KIHS dancers were recognized as 2025–2026 Maryland All-State Dancers: Nadia Wilde, Dylan Miller and Emily Dryer.
Sylvia’s CCF Choreographic Residency marks another successful collaboration between the Carole Cascio Fund, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, and the CCF Teaching Artists team, showcasing the organization’s commitment to bringing diverse and energetic dance forms to high school students.
