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.