Ring in the New Year with a special Best Of ArtScene | The Podcast episode—one year in rewind.

Hosted by NAEA National Supervisor of the Year Michael Bell, this highlights episode features standout moments from throughout the year, beginning with a statewide Maryland Art Education panel conversation with Bell and fellow National Supervisors of the Year, followed by inspiring segments with QACPS educators and statewide arts leaders across music, visual art, and dance.

Featured voices include Windy Broadwater, Allison Dorsey, Gabby Pfeifer, Erika Beyer, Bayrex Hernandez, Heather Efland, and Peter Pucci of the Carole Cascio Fund for Mind Movement Dance Connections.

Happy New Year—and thank you for being part of the ArtScene community. Enjoy this special one-year Best Of rewind.

This special 1-hour December edition of ArtScene | The Podcast goes behind the curtain at Chesapeake College for a rare open rehearsal with Ailey II from NYC — recorded live at the Todd Performing Arts Center.

Michael Bell was on site as the Carole Cascio Fund welcomed Ailey II to the Eastern Shore for the first time ever — capturing raw rehearsal process, reflections from teaching artists, and conversations with student dancers stepping onto a professional stage for the very first time.

Hear from Artistic Director Francesca Harper, members of Ailey II, Executive Director Peter Pucci, and the student voices who remind us why access matters — and why moments like this shape futures.

“When students stand on a stage like this, surrounded by world-class artists, something in them shifts — they begin to imagine themselves in the center of the story," said host Michael Bell. "Today was about legacy. Community. Craft. And courage."

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Thompson and the Todd Performing Arts Center for opening this space for young artists to be seen, inspired, and included. Enjoy a bonus Q&A with the professional dancers and community at the end of the podcast.

And — don’t miss the Carole Cascio Fund's next community offering: The Ballet Theatre of Maryland performs The Nutcracker at 5pm on Friday, December 5th at the Chestertown YMCA in Kent County. Registration is required. Tickets available at: https://carolecasciofund.org

In this episode of ArtScene | The Podcast, host Michael Bell sits down with Church Hill Elementary’s Heather Efland — musicteacher, 2019 Teacher of the Year, and lifelong believer that “all children need a voice.” From her empowering “Good Morning” mantras to disco-lit rhythm lessons set to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” Heather shares how joy, connection, and community have become the heartbeat of her teaching. Hearstories of student breakthroughs, school concerts that unite families, and the belief that music doesn’t just teach rhythm—it teaches resilience.

In this 40th episode of ArtScene | The Podcast, Michael Bell sits down with Bayrex Hernandez, music teacher at Matapeake Elementary. Growing up in Puerto Rico in a family where education and music were the heartbeat of daily life, Bayrex now brings that same energy and vision to Queen Anne’s County. From launching Matapeake’s first outdoor concert to building a choir program with over 40 students, a band program where fifth graders can’t wait to perform, his story is about resilience, creativity, and helping students shine. Along the way, Bayrex shares how a simple mantra — “Don’t let the instrument control you, you control the instrument” — motivates his kids not just in music, but in life. Plus, hear how his students surprised him with an unforgettable Happy Birthday, and what legacy he hopes to leave in music education.

Erika Beyer teaches music to PreK through 2nd graders at Kent Island Elementary—and if you step into her classroom, you’ll likely hear a chorus of “🎵Hello, Musicians!” ringing out with joy. But her story is far deeper than call-and-response. In this inspiring episode of ArtScene | The Podcast, Erika opens up about her path from conservatory-trained trombonist and collegiate swimmer to master of musical play, classroom resets, and equity through creativity.

We explore how teaching during the pandemic shaped her use of tech and SEL, how motherhood has deepened her empathy, and why free play, tonal exploration, and silly microphones help her students feel empowered, seen, and heard. From student breakthroughs to inclusive performance strategies, and her first presentation for the Maryland Music Education Associaton State Convention, Erika shares how she builds a classroom culture rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and connection.

Join host Michael Bell (2024 NAEA National Supervisor of the Year) representing Queen Anne's County for a powerful live panel recorded at the MAEA Summer Retreat featuring Dr. Lisa Stuart Whitehead (2024 NAEA National Art Educator of the Year) representing Prince George's County and Gino Molfino (2021 NAEA National Supervisor of the Year) and 2024 Supervision and Administration Division Director-Elect for NAEA. In this candid, one-hour conversation hosted by MAEA President Rachel Valsing, three of Maryland’s most influential arts leaders discuss leadership, legacy, advocacy, and the future of arts education. Insightful, inspiring, and filled with real talk—this is one you don’t want to miss.

In this Bonus 15 minute Episode, Gabby Pfeifer returns to share heartfelt reflections, from restaging her original choreography Inner Chaos to mentoring first-time dancers and preparing to perform at the American Dance Festival. She offers real talk and powerful advice for aspiring dancers: “Send the email. Keep going. You’ve got this.”
Listen now—only on ArtScene | The Podcast.

Also, enjoy this 16 second YouTube short featuring Gabby in action.

From 2020 All-State Dancer to dance mentor, Gabby Pfeifer returns to Queen Anne’s County, MD as the first-ever intern for the Carole Cascio Fund for Mind Movement Dance Connections (CCF)—recently promoted to CCF Associate Teaching Artist. In this inspiring full-circle story, host Michael Bell explores how Gabby’s choreography, teaching, and leadership are shaping young dancers across Queen Anne's County Public Schools and beyond.

Hear how she learned Paul Taylor’s emotionally powerful solo from Company B, restaged by CCF Teaching Artist and former Paul Taylor dancer Amy Young. Plus, discover the story behind Gabby’s original piece Inner Chaos—the first-ever QACHS dance work selected for the Maryland State Dance Showcase at Goucher College.

And yes—it all began with a chance encounter at the Creamery in Centreville, MD.

Listen now and be inspired by how one dancer is helping the next generation find their voice through movement.

🎙️ Plus—don’t miss a bonus 15-minute segment airing July 1 with even more insights from Gabby’s journey.

Also, enjoy this 16 second ⁠YouTube short⁠ featuring Gabby in action.