Our Carnegie Hall Legacy – Past Annual Invitationals
20 Years of Unforgettable Performances
For over a decade, Performing Arts Educators has transformed Carnegie Hall into a stage for pre-professional talent each winter near MLK Day. From dance to choral masterpieces, our Annual Invitational series celebrates diversity and artistry—here’s a glimpse of our past:
Past Highlights
- 16th Invitational (January 18, 2025): A vibrant mix of Irish step, Indian, Mexican folk, and contemporary dance with groups like A Step Above Dance Studio and Ballet Folklorico La Paloma.
- 15th Invitational (January 15, 2023): Stacey Gibbs’ spirituals shone, ending with a 400+ voice finale led by Dr. Peggy Dettwiler after a Covid hiatus.
- 14th Invitational (January 18, 2020): A world dance festival featured Indian, Mexican-American, and Irish styles in a sold-out show.
- 13th Invitational (January 20, 2019): Dr. Dettwiler’s choral tribute to women composers concluded with 500 singers and Gwyneth Walker’s works.
- 12th Invitational (January 14, 2018): An international dance fest with Moscow, Polynesian, and Irish troupes—400+ dancers filled the stage.
- 11th Invitational (January 14, 2017): Honoring Dr. MLK Jr., hosted by Chuck Cooper, with a 350-voice Dona Nobis Pacem finale.
A Tradition of Excellence
Our Rose Ceremony honors directors, and every event blends education with performance. Ready to join this legacy? Sign up for the 17th Annual Invitational – January 18, 2026 or contact us at [email protected] or (407) 504-1323.
The 16th Anniversary Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 18, 2025
This spectacular performance brought together a diverse lineup of talent, featuring styles from Irish step dance to traditional Indian, Mexican folk, contemporary, and beyond. Performers included the dynamic A Step Above Dance Studio, the innovative City Center Dance, and the graceful East Pointe Dance. The evening also showcased Gurukul Performing Arts, Joppa Dance Company, and the Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts. Mississippi Elite Dance & Cheer wowed the audience alongside the Ridgewood Irish Dance Jig Factory and Stage Door Dance Productions. Step by Step Dance Studio, Studio D, Shishya School of Performing Arts, and Ballet Folklorico La Paloma of Tucson, Arizona, added their own unique flair to this unforgettable celebration of cultural expression through dance.
The 15th Anniversary Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 15, 2023
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After a respite because of the Covid situation, Performing Arts Educators was so happy to be back onstage presenting another in the series conceived by Artistic Director Dr. Peggy Dettwiler. This performance featured the works of internationally recognized director and composer Stacey Gibbs, who has many arrangements of spirituals in print and who is highly acclaimed for his expertise in bringing new vitality and excitement to this beloved heritage.
Most Americans are not aware that American music education is admired around the world. Dr. Dettwiler, herself, is quite active in international music events as a director and a judge. Closer to home, she presented a sampling of the deep and lively Pennsylvania high school choral world… a new generation of graduates of her respected choral program at Mansfield University. After the traditional Rose Ceremony, which honors Stacey Gibbs and our participating directors, Dr. Dettwiler concluded with a 400+ voice massed choir in Mr. Gibbs’ acclaimed arrangement of Way Over in Beulah Lan. |
Artistic Director Peggy Dettwiler
Director/ Composer Stacey Gibbs
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The 14th Anniversary Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 18, 2020
A Festival of World Dance featured 14 performing artists presenting the apex of their work. Traditional Indian, Mexican-American, and Irish dances were presented along with a wide variety of American dance styles. It's pure dance on a world famous stage!
The 13th Anniversary Celebration at Carnegie Hall, January 20, 2019
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Every Life Shall Be a Song: A Choral Concert featuring the Works of Women Composers, Poets, & Lyricists, was conceptualized by Artistic Director, Dr. Peggy Dettwiler.
This production presented nine different choirs, a total of 500 singers, from across the nation. The performance concluded with a breath-taking finale, featuring works of composer Gwyneth Walker and combined all of the choirs on stage, under the musical direction of Mansfield University’s Dr. Peggy Dettwiler. |
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The 12th PAE Annual Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 14th, 2018
Performing Arts Educators' Festival of Dance was an international dance festival featuring groups from Moscow, Georgia, and India. Troupes representing Polynesia, Ireland, and various American folk genres also performed their dance styles and folk genres with joy.
As usual, the Isaac Stern Auditorium was sold out with over 400 dancers in attendance!
We concluded this phenomenal performance with the traditional Rose Ceremony, where a moment is given to honor the directors of our performers. Each director is presented a rose and photographed on stage to a well-deserved applause.
As usual, the Isaac Stern Auditorium was sold out with over 400 dancers in attendance!
We concluded this phenomenal performance with the traditional Rose Ceremony, where a moment is given to honor the directors of our performers. Each director is presented a rose and photographed on stage to a well-deserved applause.
The 11th PAE Annual Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 14th, 2017
War, Peace, and the Power of Music: Celebrating the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was conceptualized by Artistic Director Dr. Peggy Dettwiler and hosted by Tony Award Winner Chuck Cooper.
The finale of this performance featured over 350 combined choral performers accompanied by organ and percussion to the Final Movement of Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem.
The finale of this performance featured over 350 combined choral performers accompanied by organ and percussion to the Final Movement of Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem.
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The 10th PAE Annual Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 16th, 2016
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The Tenth Anniversary Celebration ~ a Dance Festival ~ highlighted select groups from the past 10 years with an amazing collaboration of song and dance, with an international flair, and one-of-a-kind performances. 425 performers representing 13 schools from 5 states, performed in front of a full house.
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The 9th Anniversary Invitational at Carnegie Hall, January 17, 2015
The 9th Anniversary Celebration ~ a Choral Festival ~ showcased 11 groups from across the USA and was accented with several dance and choral collaborations plus the famous Indianica Dance Troupe.
Dr. Peggy Dettwiler conducted the finale, Handel’s Swell the Full Chorus from Solomon and Keith Hampton’s True Light .
Dr. Peggy Dettwiler conducted the finale, Handel’s Swell the Full Chorus from Solomon and Keith Hampton’s True Light .