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The University of Dayton Dance Ensemble will combine jazz, show business and ballet to entertain audiences at its fall concert at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow in KU's Boll Theater.

The performances will include eight separate pieces based on modern dance.

This concert is presented by UD's theater program, and the dances have been choreographed by UD faculty and students and members of Dayton's dance community.

Members of Dance Ensemble have been working hard this semester to make the show entertaining both in the dance performances and choice of music, said Nicole Galuschik, assistant director of Dance Ensemble.

The dancers have rehearsed every weekend since the auditions that were held in September.

Galuschik said the show is dark and highly emotionally-driven.

"The dancers have been able to connect with these darker characters, combined with the technique and music," she said. "All dances prove to be extremely strong."

According to Galuschik, there will be one lighter piece incorporated in the set of performances with music from singer and songwriter Sara Bareilles.

While the upcoming concert is based on modern pieces, in past shows, the ensemble has included jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop as well.

Dance Ensemble has been in existence for more than 30 years.

The members' mission is to perform for the UD community and to motivate their audience to develop a greater appreciation for dance.

They also work to give dancers an opportunity to continue their training after high school in a new performance setting.

Junior Courtney Cramer has been a member of the ensemble for two and a half years.

While Cramer has been a dancer for a total of 17 years, she said one does not necessarily need a large amount of experience in dance to join the ensemble.

"[Every] choreographer casts his or her own pieces, so it just depends on what they are looking for," Cramer said. "There are girls this semester that have been dancing virtually all their lives, but there are also those who have just started dancing within the last year."

Auditions are held each semester, and a concert is put on at the end of each semester to showcase the dancers' months of work.

Upcoming auditions for Dance Ensemble will take place on Nov. 22 in room 136 of the Music and Theatre Building beginning at 3 p.m.

The next performances will be Feb. 19 and 20.

Tickets for the Dance Ensemble concert are $6 for UD faculty, students and staff, and $10 for general admission.

"We hope to show the community that we have great talent, love what we do and hope the audience can see that when they see our performance," Galuschik said.