From Bhangra to Hula: How a $5,000 Wolf Trap Grant is Expanding Horizons for Einstein High School Dancers

For the nearly 170 students in the Albert Einstein High School dance program, the studio has become a gateway to the world. Thanks to a Wolf Trap Grant for Performing Arts Teachers awarded to dance teacher Hannah Kerr, these students are embarking on a global journey using choreography as their only passport.

The $5,000 grant is funding a transformative project, “UNESCO Dances and Other Cultural Heritage Works.” The initiative is designed to move beyond traditional technique, allowing students to explore the technical and cultural nuances of dance forms from across the globe.

Bridging Professional Artistry and Student Success

The program is led by Kerr, who joined MCPS three years ago bringing over 25 years of experience to the classroom. Kerr, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance, balances her academic background with an extensive career as a performing artist. Having danced with professional companies and toured nationally, she brings a wealth of industry experience into her teaching and choreography.

This professional perspective is already opening new doors of opportunity for her students. Under Kerr’s direction, the Albert Einstein High School Dance Company has earned the Professionalism Award for two consecutive years at the Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase, a distinction that mirrors the industry standards she brings to the classroom. That high standard was on full display when a student-choreographed work, mentored by Kerr, was selected as one of only nine featured to perform at the Regional High School Dance Festival.

“UNESCO Dances is a dynamic unit designed to celebrate the global wealth of cultural traditions and practices,” Kerr said. “By ‘traveling the world’ through these dances, students — and, by extension, their families — gain a greater appreciation for the diversity, richness and interconnectedness of global cultures.”

A Curriculum That Reflects Every Student

The Wolf Trap grant allows students to learn directly from a "who’s who" of regional cultural experts.

This year’s residencies will include:

• Bhangra & Giddha with Maryland Manzar, a South Asian Fusion dance team featuring Einstein alumni as mentors.
• Dabke with Malikat al Dabke, the region’s first all-female troupe teaching Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi dabke.
• Raq Sharqi (belly dance) with Sahara Dance.
• Hula (a Hawaiian dance form) and Maculele (an Afro-Brazilian warrior stick dance) with local masters Alaula Dawn Felsen and Roberto Tapia.

“This approach ensures that students see their own identities reflected in what they are learning,” Kerr explained. “It fosters a sense of pride, value and belonging that is essential to their growth as artists and individuals.”

Einstein Principal Mark Brown noted the significance of the grant. “This award is a testament to the high caliber of arts instruction within MCPS, and a wonderful investment in our students’ creative futures. Ms. Kerr has a unique gift for building community through dance, and this project ensures that every student, regardless of their background, feels a sense of belonging and pride. It is an honor to see our educators recognized for such innovative and heart-centered work.”

Building Connections Beyond the Stage

The true impact of the grant extends beyond mastering a new step. 

“There truly is something magical about dance,” Kerr said. “It builds community in ways that last well beyond the studio. Many of the artists who came to work with our students continue to reach out, offering their expertise and support long after the project concludes.”

Read more about the 2026 Wolf Trap Grants for Performing Arts Teachers here.

Teacher Spotlight: A Legacy of Innovation

While the UNESCO Dances project is the latest highlight at Albert Einstein High School, it is part of Kerr’s long-standing commitment to "using the world as a classroom." As a multi-year recipient of Wolf Trap Grants, including past projects such as An Homage to Hip Hop and Dancing the World, Kerr consistently creates unique opportunities for her dancers.

Her work extends beyond the school walls through innovative partnerships, such as her site-specific project with the Glenstone Museum. Additionally, her recognition as a recipient of multiple National Endowment for the HumanitiesLandmark Institutes underscores her dedication to connecting dance with history, culture and the broader community.