The University of Akron Dance Company premiered their Fall Concert this past weekend. The concert brought in 460 people and generated over $3,000 for the School of Dance, Theater and Arts Administration (DTAA).

The Fall Concert is choreographed by faculty and students from the UA dance program and performed by students from the University of Akron Dance Company (UADC).

This semester, DTAA welcomed former Radio City Rockette and UA alum Melissa Edington as the newest UA dance faculty. Edington has an experienced dance career which includes international dance tours. To start off her faculty career, Edington choreographed a pieced called The Ritz, a 1940’s jazz and tap routine including eighteen student performers.

“Melissa Edington is a valuable addition to the UA Dance Program faculty. We are proud of her accomplishments and welcome her expertise and knowledge gained from her experiences in the competitive field of dance performance,” said Cydney Spohn, associate professor in the School of Dance. “Melissa brings professionalism, dedication to the art form and high levels of expectations into the classroom along with a caring and approachable demeanor.”

The other performances included: New Work, an original piece that incorporated Shakespeare’s Macbeth, choreographed by School of Dance lecturer Bobby Wesner, Sketch Seven, a contemporary piece choreographed by Cydney Spohn, Grinched, Elfed, and Scrooged, a modern take on How the Grinch Stole Christmas, choreographed by Tom Smith, School of Dance faculty, and dance student Aviance Bain choreographed Dialogues in Soliloquy.

Most of the pieces performed at the Fall Concert were choreographed by faculty. The next performance, Student Choreographers’ Showcase, is set for Friday, Dec. 5. The Student Choreographers’ Showcase will include pieces choreographed and performed by UA students.

For more information on UA School of Dance, Theater and Art Administration and future performances, visit their website at www.uakron.edu/dtaa.