We wanted to share some exciting news regarding Sylvia Soumah’s upcoming residencies. Sylvia’s initial teaching assignment for the Carole Cascio Fund (CCF) involved 60 teachers from the Queen Anne’s County Public School System. During their Professional Development Day at Chesapeake College, Sylvia engaged the teachers with Traditional West African dance steps, rhythms, chants, and teaching stories. Michael Bell, Supervisor for Instruction and a CCF collaborator, invited Sylvia to lead this highly successful session.
Sylvia Soumah is the Founder and Artistic Director of Coyaba Dance Theater, established in 1997. For over 20 years, Coyaba Dance Theater has presented outstanding performances in Traditional West African dance, drumming, and theater. Sylvia’s extensive training includes studies in Guinea Conakry with Les Ballet Africaines and in Senegal under the direction of Bouly Sonko, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Senegal. She currently teaches and performs at Coyaba Academy, Dance Place, Inspired Child, John Eaton Elementary, Washington Performing Arts, and Yamz.
This fall, CCF Guest Teaching Artist Sylvia Soumah will be in residence at Queen Anne County High School (QACHS), working with their dancers to create a new West African-inspired piece for QACHS’s annual dance concert in December. This marks the third choreography residency sponsored by the Carole Cascio Fund in collaboration with Kristen Tyler and the QACHS dance program.
Additionally, Sylvia will conduct a similar residency at Kent Island High School with Amber Wright and the dance program, developing a new work for their dance concert in April 2026.
