Each school may submit up to TWO pieces for consideration. Submission will be accepted via Google Form titled Program Information. Submissions should reflect completed work from this school year and performed by current students.  Pieces can be up to 5 minutes in length.

The Showcase pieces are adjudicated by a panel of MD professional dancers/artists/educators.  The adjudicators are not employees of or associated with a school system. The adjudicators represent a high level of experience with high school dance, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, World/Ethnic, Somatics, Hip Hop, and Tap. All adjudicators have a national presence in dance and are either from Maryland or working in MD. The criteria for selection will consist of 3 areas: Piece Unity, Performance, and Technique.  See sample adjudication rubric above.

Video submission requirements are outlined below.

Submissions will be accepted until November 7, 2025 by 8 p.m. Submissions received after the November 7 deadline or without lyrics, program information, music upload, and costume picture will not be reviewed or accepted. 

• Schools are not required to submit a piece for adjudication, but all schools must fill out the program information form.

• Dance pieces can be in any genre or fine arts dance form. Think outside the box, challenge students with a unique form and consider bringing pieces that are non-Western. 

• Two pieces may be submitted by each school. If you are submitting two pieces, one must be student choreography. Only one piece may be selected for the evening concert. Approximately 18 - 20 pieces are in the concert each year. 

• Choreography may not be plagiarized. The adjudicators check this. 

• Length guidelines: up to 5 minutes

• Cast must be at least 5 dancers max 20.  Students are not required to perform and may opt not to submit a video. In this case, the teacher should fill out the Program Information form and indicate that no pieces will be submitted. 

• Movement, music, costume, concepts, and lyrics must be appropriate for an audience of all ages, genders, races, religions, and ethnicities. Remember that there may be small siblings and the elderly in the audience. 

• A copy of the lyrics, that match the music, must accompany videos of dances using words. If no lyrics are submitted with the video, the video will not be screened.

• Costume selection should consider choreographic intent, and suitability for dancers, the audience, and the dancers involved. No bare midriffs or short shorts. Costumes should not shed on stage, as there is no time to sweep the stage.

• When recording in a gym or other space, mark off a stage-sized area for the dancers (about 40’ wide X 30’ deep). It’s alright if it is a smaller space. 

• If the stage is not available, record in a gym or other brightly lit area. Experiment with both auto-focus and manual focus, and use what will give the clearest picture in the lighting conditions. Record as close as possible and keep ALL dancers in the frame. Do not pan.

• Dancers on the video must accurately represent the same cast that will perform at the Showcase. Previous year’s videos are not acceptable. Dances need to be performed at Showcase with the same number of dancers that are on videos. (with the exception of illness or injury) 

• The Program Information Form will include a request for the choreographer's intent statement. 

• All schools participating in master classes are also committed to attending the Showcase Concert, including the All-State Awards ceremony following the concert. 

• Performers and audience members may not use confetti, glitter, or like materials. 

• Music files must be purchased and submitted in an mp3 format.

Please review these expectations and discuss with dancers prior to Showcase day. 

1. Be on time for the entire Showcase schedule. All registered dancers must attend the full day and participate in the finale. 

2. In addition to the teacher, schools must provide one chaperone per 10 students who will accompany the group throughout Showcase day. The minimum number of chaperones is one. (e.g., 20 dancers = 2 chaperones + teacher). Chaperones and teachers are to remain with students throughout the showcase day.

3. Monitor student behavior to ensure professionalism and appropriateness. Remind students that they are in an academic setting and guests of Goucher College. Respectful behavior reflects positively on your school and the Showcase. 

4. Follow directions given by showcase coordinators, tech, and theater staff. 

5. Prior to the Showcase, discuss the responsibilities of being a guest of Goucher College with students (picking up trash, neatness in assigned dressing rooms and rooms, responsibility for clothing and belongings, and noise level.) 

6. Do not bring electronics, jewelry, or other valuables. Goucher College and/or MPHSDS are not responsible for unsecured property. 

7. Make sure students are properly dressed for class and rehearsal. Appropriate dress is a leotard/tank top/fitted top, tights or leggings, and appropriate shoes for class. Hair should be secured up and out of the face, and no gum or jewelry permitted. Dancers must wear cover-ups while traveling between classes/tech. 

8. Studios may not be used for rehearsing pieces during the Showcase day.

9. Lunch and Dinner is to be eaten in the specified areas only. Schools may not leave the campus for  lunch or dinner. 

10. Dancers should either be in class with a teacher/chaperone, in a designated space or in the auditorium/auditorium lobby at tech and should not be sitting in hallways. 

11. Schools must bring a first aid kit. Ice packs are highly recommended. 

12. Students must remain seated during the concert except to go backstage to perform. 

13. Review appropriate audience etiquette with students. Applause is the only appropriate response at a fine arts dance concert; yelling, whistling, and calling dancers' names are unacceptable responses. Cell phones MUST be off,​ and no texting or recording should occur during the entire Showcase day including tech and concert. Teachers must enforce this. 

14. Bring a backup copy of your music.

15. Before leaving Goucher College, check that the dancers have all their belongings. Pick up the seating area; remove all programs and trash. Each school is responsible for cleaning up throughout Showcase day before leaving all Goucher facilities. Leave no trace! 

16.  All dancers are expected to stay for the entire performance. Make sure dancer transportation is arranged for after the completion of the concert (Approx. 9 pm).

All-State Dance is a rewarding experience that represents more than a stellar audition.  Students are nominated and sent to the audition by their Public High School dance teacher. Each student that is nominated must meet the criteria listed below.  

The status of being selected as an All-State dancer is just a microcosm of a larger process. Students must independently develop critical thinking, self-reflection, and problem-solving skills to hone their technique, performance, and literacy skills to prepare for the audition, which takes discipline and no small amount of courage. Students who are selected for All-State Dance then must come prepared for two rigorous classes, one in ballet and one in modern dance. 

In years where it is possible, the All-State dancers come together for intense rehearsals in preparation for a potential performance at the state level. All auditioning students are also eligible for college/university scholarships when they are made available by MD colleges and universities. (ex. UMBC and CCBC) 

Students that are selected for All-State Dance must attend the full day and evening concert of the Showcase. 

Female dancers must wear plain dark colored leotards and pink or skin-color tights.  Male dancers must wear black unitards or black fitted bottoms and a white or black fitted T-shirt or tank.  All dancers must have ballet shoes.  Hair must be secured up and out of the face. No gum or jewelry.  Professional appearance is expected.   

The auditions will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at UMBC Dance Studios, parking in Lot 8 or 22 is free. Students must arrive by 5:30 p.m. to check in and the auditions will run from 6-9 p.m.  The fee is $20 per student. 

The nomination form is due by October 17, 2025.   The fees are due October 24, 2025. No refunds for no-shows. 

Send the $20 per dancer fee made out to AEMS to Karen Kuebler, 709 Sudbrook Road, Pikesville, MD 21208. Checks only, no cash or money orders. 

Each school may send up to five dancers to audition.  The audition will be adjudicated by three professional artists in each dance form.  (six total) Students will take two master classes, one in ballet and one in modern/contemporary.  Each class will be 1-1/4 hrs. in length.  

The criteria for nomination should include:

• Technically advanced               

• Professional appearance

• Positive attitude

• Gives 100%  consistently                         

• Courtesy and consideration of others

• 3.0 cumulative GPA                                  

• Excellent attendance and behavior          

• Leadership and dedication to dance            

• Service to the local dance program            

• High personal standards                            

• No disciplinary problems at school or in dance class

The criteria for the adjudication will include: 

• Technical ability

• Musicality/expression

• Ability to pick up movement quickly and incorporate corrections 

• Professional appearance and attitude 

Showcase Planning Committee: - For questions, please e-mail mphsds@gmail.com

Suzie Henneman - Intent Form, Program Info., All-State auditions, e-communications, Goucher liaison mphsds@gmail.com

Judi Fey -  Piece Adjudication, Program Information, Program, T-shirts, Rubric Committee dancer4ever@rjfey.com

Karen Kuebler - all Payments & Fees kkcdanser@verizon.net 

Trish Spruill -  Accompanists and All-State Auditions pkspruill7@comcast.net 

Tricia Gooley - Technical assistance, Website and Rubric Committee Tricia_Gooley@mcpsmd.org

TBA - Goucher College Dance Dept. 

Advisory Council:

Anne Arundel County 

Melissa Bell mobell@aacps.org

Baltimore County 

Claire Sweet csweet@bcps.org

Charles County 

Ashley Muse admuse@ccboe.com

Frederick County 

Stephanie Weigelt stephanie.weigelt@fcps.org

Harford County 

Caroline Brazil caroline.brazil@hcps.org

Howard County 

Keedra Brown keedra_brown@hcpss.org

Kent County 

Amber Wright amber.wright@qacps.org

Montgomery County 

Hannah Kerr Hannah_Kerr@mcpsmd.org

Danielle D'Anna Danielle.D'Anna@mcpsmd.net

Prince Georges County 

Janette Gillis janette.gillis@pgcps.org

Washington County 

Andrea Masciocchi masciand@wcps.k12.md.us