WYE MILLS — On Saturday, November 2nd, the Carole Cascio Fund (CCF) proudly sponsored the World Day of Dance, held at the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland. Organized by Peter Pucci, Executive Director of the CCF, in partnership with Dr. Rob Thompson, Associate Professor of Theatre at Chesapeake College & Director of Arts at Todd Performing Arts Center, and Michael Bell, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS), the event brought together students from Queen Anne’s County High School (QACHS) and Kent Island High School (KIHS) with dancers from studios across Maryland for an unforgettable cultural experience.
- CCF World Day of Dance 2024 at Chesapeake College (1 hr 10 min)
- CCF World Day of Dance Short (30 sec)
Peter Pucci and Michael Bell’s shared passion for the arts has forged a unique collaboration that shines through in each event. Their friendship and commitment to the arts have been instrumental in bringing exceptional opportunities like the World Day of Dance and the American Dance Festival Summer Intensive Auditions to Queen Anne’s County, where students’ horizons continue to expand through diverse, immersive dance experiences. This partnership is already yielding remarkable results, as both QACPS high schools recently celebrated earning All-State honors—a historic first for a QACHS dancer.
The World Day of Dance featured three engaging, free dance classes, each spotlighting a distinct global tradition. Deepti Mukund, a celebrated Far East Indian dance instructor, and Rose Xinran Qi, a talented Chinese dance artist, returned to Queen Anne’s to share their expertise, following well-received sessions at KIHS and QACHS last spring.
A live Q&A session with Rose Qi, a solo performance by a Far East Indian dancer, and a high-energy West African dance class led by the esteemed Sylvia Soumah, accompanied by three live drummers, highlighted the day. Soumah’s class offered students an authentic and inspiring experience of West African dance. Pucci, in collaboration with Bell, plans to bring Soumah back for a series of masterclasses at QACHS and KIHS this spring. Additionally, Gabby Pfeifer, new CCF intern and former KIHS All-State dancer, will be teaching movement classes after school this spring at QACPS middle schools, expanding access to quality dance instruction for younger students in the district.
The Carole Cascio Fund remains steadfast in its mission to promote cultural diversity and artistic expression through dance. This World Day of Dance celebrated the power of movement to connect cultures, inspire creativity, and strengthen community bonds, underscoring the successful partnerships between Chesapeake College, the CCF, and Queen Anne’s County Public Schools.
To view guest bios of the World Day of Dance instructors, visit: https://www.carolecasciofund.org/world-day-of-dance-registration/
To hear Peter Pucci and Dr. Rob Thompson discuss their remarkable partnership, listen to Episode 4 of ArtScene | the Podcast from April 2023. For an exclusive interview with Pucci, where he delves into his vision and ongoing work with the CCF, tune into Episode 13.