Jaidin Broody-Walega, a dance major graduating in 2024, poses in her costume for the Faculty and Guest Artist Dance Concert at Slippery Rock University on Saturday, Oct. 22. Submitted Photo

Slippery Rock University dance students jumped feet-first into this school year with a new show, which faculty members say is ready to rock this weekend.

The Faculty and Guest Artist Dance Concert on Saturday will feature more than 75 students dancing, coordinating and working alongside French-Canadian choreographer Helen Simoneau.

According to Melissa Teodoro, professor of dance, this is Simoneau’s first time choreographing at the university.

“She’s been here to teach master classes, but not to set a piece of choreography to our dancers. We like to expose students to different methodologies and styles so they’re formed as performers,” she said.

Simoneau’s work “Paper Wings” is being restaged with 14 dancers for the concert. Pieces by Teodoro and professor Nora Ambrosio also will be featured in the show.

“It’s a mixed bag. We even have a historical reconstruction of a Martha Graham piece,” Teodoro said.

Graham’s “Steps in the Street” premiered in 1936 and was a choreographic protest against the rise of European fascism, according to SRU’s news release.

Overall, the concert has taken more than a year to complete, with more than 50 dancers set to take the stage.

Teodoro said she hopes people from communities outside of Slippery Rock will take time to experience the talent of SRU’s students.

“We want to showcase our students’ and faculty’s work, bring the community into the creative process and the works we do. We want to provide the opportunity for them to see the caliber of dancers and advanced choreography,” she said. “Dancing is enriching to the soul like every other art.”