The UK Dance Ensemble will celebrate 30 years of dancing this weekend with its concert performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Ensemble was started to provide students with an opportunity to develop their dance technique as well as their movement voice through choreography.

It began as a continuation of the former performance group, Tau Sigma of Orchesis. Rayma Beal, the current director of Ensemble, thought the name Orchesis was outdated and changed it to Ensemble, which she said better reflects the true nature of the group.

Ensemble was originally a modern dance company, but over the years it has grown into a company of many other genres, Beal said.

The first Dance Ensemble Concert was in Spring of 1987. and Since then, the Ensemble has put on two concert productions each year.

Ensemble has changed over the years in terms of size and interest. The number of students involved varies each year. Participation is completely voluntary, so the students involved are there because they genuinely love to dance.

The students get to work with guest artists each semester, giving them the opportunity to experience different styles and genres of dance.

The students mainly choreograph the 14 pieces that are performed in the concert. This semester, Dance Ensemble President Caitlin Leiby is especially excited because the concert will feature a lot of unique pieces and will include two guest artists. Due to the size of the group and the amazing dancers involved, she said she believes this performance will be a great celebration of the Dance Ensemble.

The Dance Ensemble Concert will recognize former members at the end of the performances as part of the finale. This will celebrate both the past and present of the Ensemble.

Performances will be Saturday, Nov. 18at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall. Student tickets are $9. More information about pricing and the event can be found here.