By Loni Lawrence
Polished dancers guide their inflatable partners (who are all on scooters) in graceful harmony.
This is no traditional waltz.
In fact, this is the ''Wheelenese Waltz,'' one of the dances to be performed by the Dancers'' Company at the review, 'Dance in Concert,' Thursday, Jan. 29.
'This dance is just comic,' said Jana Shumway, the concerts publicist. 'It follows the general theme of the concert which is positive and inspiring.'
'Dance in Concert' is a collection of the year''s work for the company. Among the dances will be some of their tried-and-true, as well as some new to the scene. Several of the works were even choreographed by guest choreographers.
''April,'' one of the dances choreographed by guest choreographer, Nana Shineflug, has special significance for both the company''s dancers and their new director. Shineflug, a co-director of the Chicago Moving Company, created the dance in 2003. Last October she came to BYU for two weeks teaching and tailoring the dance to the Dancers'' Company members.
'She loved BYU,' said Rebecca Phillips, Dancers'' Company artistic director. 'It was an experience just to watch her with the dancers.'
The experience was also a special one for Phillips, a former dancer with the Chicago Moving Company under Shineflug. In fact, she was first introduced to ''April'' at a reunion concert she danced in with Chicago Moving Company.
'I just thought it was wonderful,' she said.
Another dance showcased in the performance will be ''Extrovertical,'' a work choreographed by the Dancers'' Company themselves.
'We sort of threw all the student''s ideas together,' said Jeremy Wingreen, a member of the company. 'It has something for everybody -- Yoga, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern -- it is very athletic with a lot of attitude.'
The dance is an expression of the modern world and 'the competition that exists between technology and humanity,' according to Shumway. Leaps, flips and stunt stilts are included in this dance.
Other dances showcased are ''Come Away,'' ''African Nightfall,'' ''Songs of Deliverance'' and ''For Betty,'' choreographed by founder of Repertory Dance Theatre Bill Evans.
The important element of this concert, according to Phillips, however, is the dancers themselves.
'This concert is unique because the dancers are some of the best you can see anywhere in the country,' Phillips said. 'A couple could have gone to Julliard but chose to come to BYU because they are LDS. They are all just beautiful dancers.'
The Dancers'' Company has 16 dancers, five men and 11 women. Their histories are a mish-mash of different experiences. Some, according to Phillips, were gymnasts, some were ballet dancers who 'found modern dance,' and some have always been in love with the art.
Dance in Concert Performances begin Thursday and run through Saturday. Show times are 7:30 each evening with a matinee on Saturday at 2 o''clock. Tickets are still available at the HFAC ticket office and cost $10 each or $8 with a student I.D.