Dance company plans Naperville recital

Members of Naperville Park District's Élan Dance Company will perform original choreography in a variety of genres Saturday during a performance at North Central College.

The show begins at 6:30 p.m. May 6, at Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave.

Performances will include ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and musical theater. Performers include soloists and ensembles from each of the three companies within Élan, which are the Senior, Apprentice and Junior companies.

Artistic Director Kristy Meza said two of the ensemble pieces were choreographed by Senior Company members and their mentors.

Graduating senior Emily Rosa and her mentor, Katie Wickey, created a jazz piece for the song "Woman Up" that will be performed by the Apprentice Company.

Alyssa Wolff and her mentor, Alex Webb, choreographed "River Flows in You," which will be performed by the Senior Company.

Also featured are solos by graduating seniors Merve Addemir, Britney Lee and Emily Rose.

A familiar element will be the chimney sweeps' dance, "Step in Time" from "Mary Poppins." The dancers also will present a hip-hop number entitled "We Own It," and will debut a jazz piece by Stacey Fontechia involving the entire company.

Now in its 21st season, Élan is a pre-professional dance troupe for students 9 and older that performs in Naperville and the region. The group is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door and may be purchased through Naperville Park District at www.napervilleparks.org or by phone at (630) 848-5000.