The women of NIU Orchesis bring a new meaning to the art of dancing.

They performed at an event Thursday hosted by the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. The show included seven dances, each choreographed by students Julie Przybylski or Monica Mehta and department associate professors Danielle Jay and Charles Carter.

The word “orchesis” is derived from the Greek word “orchestra.” In Greek theater, orchesis means “the art of dancing.”

“An orchestra is a band with many instruments,” said Lauren Yancy, a freshman elementary education major and Orchesis member. “Orchesis is a band of dancers that use different techniques.”

Students enrolled in the Orchesis classes or who signed up for the program performed steps they learned in class Thursday. The spotlight intensity and hue change were controlled by junior communication major Rosalind Rodgers.

“The lighting is really contingent on what the choreographer wants,” Rodgers said. “Lighting sometimes accentuates the movement and helps tell the story. In other cases, the lights take the focus off the movement, like in Jay’s diversity piece.”

Diversity and cultural awareness were two of the ensemble’s key themes.

Assistant Orchesis director Monica Mehta did a solo tribute to her East Indian culture in full costume.

“I combined my heritage with modern dance,” said Mehta, an adapted physical education graduate student.

Performers also showed audience members new dance styles and eclectic music selections from artists such as Ani Difranco, Sting and Jennifer Lopez.

“The performance as a whole inspired me to dance,” said Tacara Bradshaw, a freshman computer science major. “Some of it was mellow, which made me flow with the concept of each dance.”

Erin Acosta, a freshman elementary education major and Orchesis member, said Bradshaw may have a chance to join the group, despite her previous experience.

“Even at different levels of experience, we teach each other,” Acosta said. “This is my first time doing this and I have noticed we seem to learn from one another as we go along.”

The girls not only enjoy learning dance routines, but they also believe Orchesis is an opportunity to learn about other cultures.

“The Orchesis dancers are a diverse group,” Yancy said. “Working with girls from different cultures helped me learn that dance is a universal art.”

“The Orchesis dancers are a diverse group. Working with girls from different cultures helped me learn that dance is a universal art.”