The EIU Dancers will give an emotional, delightful and comic performance this weekend at their annual spring concert, titled “Reflections.” The concert will feature a variety of dance styles, music genres and costumes.

Nancy Nordtvedt, co-director of EIU Dancers, said there will be “something for everybody; (it will be) a show that all ages will be able to enjoy.”

The concert will feature various dance techniques, including tap, ballet, modern and jazz. Some performances will evoke laughter, some will touch hearts and bring tears, and some will leave the audience in awe, Nordtvedt said.

One of the most humorous dances will be “Hallelujah,” which uses the music “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls. The dancers are in sunny yellow outfits with navy blue umbrellas, and the co-directors lip-sync the voices of The Weather Girls.

The dance that may stir up the most emotion is “American Reflections.” The dancers, dressed in patriotic red, white and blue long dresses, will perform an intricate dance to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.

The company will dance to original music written for “Reflections” by Terence Mayhue, of Eastern’s music faculty, and Elaine Fine. Percussionists will play two of Mayhue’s works, “Rhumba Phase” and “Chaos.”

One of the most technical performances is the dance to “Chaos.” At first, the dancers primarily use their arms, moving them fluidly like butterfly wings. They continue by making shapes with their bodies and interacting with each other.

Nordtvedt, who is also a dance instructor, is the founder of the EIU Dancers. She came to Eastern in 1981.

“Originally, several students asked if I could (start a dance company). I’d had one in Montana,” Nordtvedt said.

As co-director of EIU Dancers, Nordtvedt enjoys seeing the students put her creations on stage. She is also impressed with the dances the students choreograph.

Nordtvedt taught dance at Montana State University. She studied dance in Kansas, Missouri and California, and danced professionally in Wichita, Kan.

Jeanna McFarland, co-director of EIU Dancers, came to Eastern in 1991 to teach dance. She enjoys working with the students and getting to know them outside the classroom. McFarland also feels a sense of pride being a co-director.

“It’s an accomplishment to see them in costumes for the concert,” McFarland said.

McFarland graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and studied dance in New York City in the studios of Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Finus Jung and Luigi.

There are 26 members in the EIU Dancers this year. All have different backgrounds and various majors at Eastern.

Ashli Payne, a senior who is student teaching at Mattoon High School this semester, is the president of EIU Dancers. This is her fourth year of involvement with the company (what the EIU Dancers are called). Payne joined because of her dancing experience and her sister Amanda Gilbert was a member.

“I went to recitals when my sister was an EIU Dancer. I’ve been a dancer since I was three,” Payne said.

Payne enjoys learning from her peers and the directors.

“The directors have amazing dance backgrounds. Nancy is a very modern and unique dancer. It’s amazing what you can learn. EIU is not a dancing school, yet you learn so much from this,” Payne said.

Vicki Urzedowski, a senior family and consumer science major and secretary of the EIU Dancers, has been a member for three years. She joined because she’d danced through high school. Urzedowski likes the variety of what is taught to the EIU Dancers.

“I like learning different styles of performing. My favorite dance genre is lyrical ballet because it’s slower choreography, prettier to watch and more emotion is involved in the dance,” Urzedowski said.

Amie Bingham, a junior health studies administration major and treasurer of the EIU Dancers, has been involved with the company for three years. Bingham was on poms and involved in orchesis in high school.

“For orchesis, we practiced all year and had a recital like we do for the EIU Dancers,” Bingham said.

Bingham feels that being a member of EIU Dancers is like being a member of an “athletic” sorority or a club. She, like Urzedowski, prefers lyrical ballet.

“The music’s prettier, there’s more feeling behind it. You can relate something in life to the dance and music,” Bingham said.

Kelly DeLuca, a junior elementary education major, is in her third year as a member of EIU Dancers. DeLuca has danced almost all her life.

“I love dancing. I have been dancing since I was two years old. It’s a part of life,” DeLuca said.

As a member of the company, DeLuca revels in the opportunity to do all different types of dancing. She also likes her fellow dancers.

“The team members are great,” DeLuca said.

James Drake, a senior marketing major, has been involved with EIU Dancers for two years. Drake had danced in show choir while in high school, and wanted to do some sort of physical activity at Eastern.

“I can’t play sports as much as I used to, so I wanted to be a part of another physical activity,” Drake said.

Drake likes that students, not just the directors, choreograph the dances. He also likes the wide range of dances they learn.

“There’s a wide variety of stuff we do. The group is a lot of good people from different backgrounds,” Drake said.

Drake said people should attend the concert to appreciate the art of the dances. Payne agrees.

“It’s a form of fine arts, a part of culture,” Payne said.

The variety of the performances is the main reason people should attend, said DeLuca.

We have all types of dancing. There’s something for all ages,” DeLuca said. Bingham agrees.

“The majority will enjoy some aspect of the recital,” Bingham said.

McFarland said people will enjoy the musical aspect of the concert.

“There will be music most people will be familiar with. If the audience likes the music, they’ll like the dance,” she said.

Payne said the audience will be awestruck by the performances.

“You just sit there, speechless. You get caught up in it,” Payne said. “Reflections” will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on the stage of McAfee Gym. Admission is free.