Ballet, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre are just a few of the dance genres featured in United Dance Productions' 2009 recital.

Excerpts from popular musicals will be brought to life with the assistance of talented students and professionals during the company's 15th showcase, which takes place tonight and tomorrow at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

The aim, said founder and director Suzette Harvey, is to bring a new energy to the stage.

"I focus on enjoyment, self-esteem, character building and so many more elements than just teaching a step," she said. "But the main thing is for parents to come out and see the progression, to see what their kids are doing throughout the year."

Behind the scenes are a host of gifted teachers, some of whom studied at UDP themselves Eric Bean has choreographed several pieces; Khaliah Smith has introduced musical theatre and student teachers Rikkai Scott and Kacee Morton Simons.

"Eric now has a degree in dance and is dancing professionally with [Philadelphia-based] Koresh Dance Company," Ms Harvey stated. "Since he has been back he has choreographed three pieces one for our junior company and I invited him to choreograph for our modern company."

Ms Smith is currently the musical theatre teacher at UDP but leaves this autumn to study abroad.

Ms Harvey added: "We have a US ballet/jazz teacher who has been working alongside Khaliah to do a Broadway extravaganza. There will be excerpts from 'West Side Story', 'Once On This Island' and 'Hairspray'.

"It's not just the dance side of it," she said, explaining that Ms Smith had also given vocal and acting lessons and [local stage actress] Denise Whitter had assisted with voice projection.

"In addition, we have hip-hop dancer Virgil Gadson from [the television show] 'America's Best Dance Crew'."

A graduate of the University of the Arts, Mr. Gadson is spending a year with UDP, primarily in its Hip-Hop Department.

"It's been great because he is a young male who has been introduced to all styles of dance," she said. "So many of our young males thought that he was only a hip-hop dancer, but then Virgil would come in his tights and do ballet, which has shown them that men can dance [in different genres]."

The recital begins at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets, $35, are available at UDP on Court Street, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information telephone 295-9933.