Adrienne Kraus Latanishen taught a range of students from beginner to experienced-level dancers at Queen Anne’s County High School(QACHS), the Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase Festival which took place at Goucher College, and Perry Hall High School(PHHS). Latanishen’s instruction ranged from a few different repertoires: at QACHS and Goucher she taught musical theater dance, to contact improv and partnering at PHHS. When Latanishen brought over her own musical theater choreography for the musical, Moulin Rouge’s “Backstage Romance” to Queen Anne’s, students were super excited to do musical theater because many of them had participated in their school’s musical theater program prior. Adrienne was a Guest Choreographer representing CCF at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) with the CCBC Dance Company. By taking advantage of doing what she loves, making dance classes fun, and supporting students when learning and trying new things so that by the end of the class, students can feel accomplished for what they have done, Latanishen continuously strives to make Carole proud.
Amy Young-Kleinendorst, who specializes in the modern dance style of Paul Taylor—a style distinct for its athleticism and expressiveness, taught Paul Taylor technique classes at QACHS. She was also a Guest Choreographer representing CCF at the (CCBC) with the CCBC Dance Company. Amy also taught community dancers at the Todd Performing Arts Center alongside her husband, Robert Kleinendorst also a former Paul Taylor dancer. This year, Amy provided students with wall-breaking opportunities: with each lesson, dancers’ confidence and willingness to do intense and unusual movement, increased—something that made her working experience with CCF truly fulfilling. Commending students on their eagerness and bravery for the one-day Paul Taylor workshop at TPAC, Kleinendorst was delighted to witness how open-minded students were when trying new movements and their capability to perform choreography they had learned in just three hours. Kleinendorst is incredibly proud to be part of the CCF organization that brings professional dance to the Eastern Shore community via dance education outreach for local schools, performances, and the diverse range of styles delivered in both classes and performances honoring the vast art of dance.
Dancer and dance educator, Gabby Pfeifer taught at Kennard Elementary School, QACHS, Kent Island High School, where she assisted Sylvia Soumah’s West African dance classes and her choreography was shown at Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase (MPHSDS) at Goucher College Pfeifer’s own classes consisted of various styles from modern, partnering, to social dance. Her social dance lessons at Kennard Elementary emphasized the history of dance and were made up of Greek social dance that involved a lot of circle formations, a chicken dance, and Macarena. By the time classes at Kennard Elementary finished Gabby and her students successfully made their own line dance. Pfeifer was also especially honored to have the opportunity to bring her own choreography to MPHSDS, “Inner Chaos” choreographed in 2024. Her piece was performed by QACHS dancers, and it was the first time the QACHS had been represented at MPHSDS. As an Eastern Shore local, Pfeifer is passionate about teaching children in a community that she is familiar with, where she can see herself in students and relate to them. On top of that, she is proud to work next to dedicated artists, Adrienne Kraus-Latanishen, Amy Young-Kleinendorst, and Sylvia Soumah. Pfiefer is constantly inspired by them and with such inspiration, she comes into class mirroring their dedication in hopes to inspire her students too.
Sylvia Soumah, previously a modern dancer, now specializing in West African dance, taught West African dance at QACHS and Kent Island High School this year. Specifically, her repertoire is focused on Guinean and Senegalese dance, which is very rhythmic based; students got the chance to dance, while playing the drums. She relished her experience with the Kent Island students, saying how committed they were. She was grateful to students for being so invested, eager to learn, and to perform West African dance—dance that is not typically seen on the Eastern Shore. Soumah was also touched to be able to offer West African dance in a places that she has not taught at yet. She was thrilled to expand her reach across the Eastern Shore. She was also indebted to CCF and Executive Director, Peter Pucci, for being so open-minded and putting extensive value on the variety of dance styles that exist globally because dance is so universal. She regards Pucci highly for his persistence in bringing an array of dance styles to the Eastern Shore
By CCF Summer Intern
Evie Kaye
Washington College
English major
Dance, and J.E.P. minor.
Dance Club Senior Advisor ’26/’27.
