The standard achieved by regional dance companies in the US has been one of the phenomenons of the last decade. There are any number of them now who, through sheer talent and richness of repertoire, deserve -- and in some cases -- attain national, or even international stature.

Such a company is the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, making its first appearance at the Bermuda Festival. Originally an off-shoot of the Dayton Ballet, founder Josephine Schwarz established community dance classes for the city's urban youth. This was where eight-year-old Jeraldyne Blunden took her first steps -- and went on, in 1968, to found the fully professional Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. With the support of major choreographers, such as Alvin Ailey, who created works expressly for them, they have gradually gained recognition as one of America's most vibrant young companies. Having toured throughout the US, they have also appeared to great acclaim in Russia and Korea.

Appropriately enough, the first piece, Beyond a Cliff, designated by choreographer Dwight Rhoden as a tribute to Ms Blunden, immediately establishes the cultural identity of these African-American dancers. To a cacophony of vocal sounds the white-clad figures embark on a frenzied dance where the relentless jazz rhythms impel the ceaseless energy of every movement. The glorious fluidity and beauty of line confirmed that these dancers have been schooled in a deceptively rigorous training.

Mourner's Bench is a solo which forms part of a ballet, Southern Landscape, which was choreographed by Talley Beatty. Set to the spiritual, There is a Balm in Gilead, a young man ponders a rural community torn apart by the arrival of the Ku Klux Klan. Using the wooden bench as the vessel of his woe, the tautly controlled, almost slow-motion gestures of despair were danced with moving tenderness by soloist Cecil Slaughter.

The first half of the programme ended with Diary, a wistful and always lyrical pas de deux by Lynn Taylor-Corbett of the movie, Footloose, fame. The haunting folk ballad by Judith Lander sets the mood of this charming work, wherein a young couple reflect on dreams lost and dreams found, finally rejoicing that they have found one another. The highly talented Sheri Williams and Kevin Ward positively oozed with lyricism; there were some wonderful moments in this ballet, as when, at the end, they quietly clasped and stroked their hands together -- the simplest of movements which, as in all the best choreographic creation, speaks volumes of words.

A change of approach in the second half, with narrative ballet, Las Desenamoradas, set by Eleo Pomare and inspired by the the great Spanish playwright, Frederico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. Lorca is a popular source for choreographers (Ailey has also adapted this piece) and it is easy to see why.

Pomare has effectively distilled the dramatically sexual essence of the play.

The brilliant technique of these dancers was enhanced by the intense passion played out in this angst -filled drama of five sisters, confined and finally destroyed by their man-hating mother.

Dawn Wood brought a sense of malevolent strength to the role of the coldly beautiful mother. She was ably supported by her daughters: Gina Gardner as the Fiancee, Sheri Williams as the pitiful hunchback, Shona Yvette Hickman-Matlock as the Loved, Renee Monique Brown as the Defiant and Shana Bloodsaw as the Watchful. The final tableau where the Fiancee hangs lifeless on a dangling rope reminds us that a good story-line might be trotted out rather more frequently by today's dance-makers.

Finally, a cheerful piece to send the audience home happy. This was Inside Out, a largely inconsequential piece, but bright enough, with colourful costumes and a frolicsome suite of dances which gave each member of the company a moment in which to shine, as they danced to a medley of music performed by Pieces of a Dream. Described as a dance `for the sheer joy of movement', it was just that. But these dancers from Dayton, who never missed a technical beat, were more than able to imbue their dances with high spirits, and a deceptive air of delightful spontaneity.

PATRICIA CALNAN DANCERS FROM DAYTON -- The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company opened its three-day Bermuda Festival run at City Hall last night.