Tucked behind the Fraser Street Garage, a blue awning marks the school's new location. In January, the company separated from the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop, becoming an independent school.

The Dance Workshop was Pennsylvania Dance Theatre School's affiliate since 1979. However, the nonprofit the dance theatre school is still governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of community members, Penn State faculty and local businesses.

Support from the community is very important, Van Kuren said. She believes it is why contributors such as the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts are so impressed with the company.

Although State College is a small town, the dance theatre serves a large population, said Van Kuren. The dancers always perform in town around April, along with the frequent performances they hold in surrounding counties throughout the year.

The company also tours to big cities such as New York, Philadelphia and various European locales.

Touring is important because the larger the audience, the more professional opportunities Pennsylvania Dance Theatre School dancers have, she said.

The company chooses to use these "opportunities" to their advantage through their teaching extensions. The school's five dance teachers share their love and knowledge of dance with students from the community.

The company is unique due to the instructors' artistry and their hands-on experience as performers, Van Kuren said.

The freedom to choreograph movements for students was one of the reasons Johnson came to the company. Moving from New York, with a degree in dance from the University of Minnesota, Johnson joined the school in January.

She said she likes to use "organic and resilient" ways of moving to challenge dancers without sacrificing the flow of natural movements.

"By the end of class, I want them to be moving a lot and to have had some fun," she said.

The arts and education program offered by the school is another reason Johnson joined the company. The program is taught during instructors' residencies, where they perform dances for students ranging from kindergarten to high-school levels.

In addition, the instructors teach the students how dance can be incorporated in many fields of study. For instance, the dancers help children learn about obtuse and acute angles by forming them with their bodies through dance, Johnson said.

The program is helping the kids use art to expand their minds, she said.

"It's a good program, because modern dance is really dying and this makes people aware of what's going on."

Modern dance is considered a rebellion to ballet, Van Kuren said. In the early part of this century, dancers who lived in the cities wanted to express their times, civilizations and emotions through a range of different movements.

Leaping, falling, stretching, bending, contracting and spinning students in a Pennsylvania Dance Theatre modern dance class demonstrate this range.

Prince's words circle the room: "Love comes quick, love comes in a hurry." Breath is steady and flowing. "Toe, ball, heel, toe, ball, heel," shouts the instructor as the students glide across the floor like prancing stallions.

"I can see how it could be hard to look graceful rolling around on the ground," a girl murmurs. The uncertainty is seen in the students' faces. But the instructor is patient.

"Dance is an expression of ourselves through movement. For me, it involves a combination of our mind, body and spirit. Being in touch with my love of dance can automatically motivate others," Van Kuren said.