The Youngstown State University Dance Ensemble will give the first of three performances tonight at Bliss Hall’s Ford Theater.

Under the artistic direction of Amy A. Wright, the ensemble of more than 20 student dancers will perform original works by 10 student choreographers and three faculty choreographers. This is the 29th consecutive year that the Dance Ensemble has presented a concert.

Guest choreographer is Stephanie Frey Anderson, a professional dance artist in the Pittsburgh area and a resident artist at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. Anderson received her master’s degree in choreography and performance from Smith College, and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Slippery Rock University.

She has taught various dance technique and theory classes at Smith College, Youngstown State University and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Stephanie was a founding company member of Continuum Dance Theatre and also has performed with Exhalations Dance Theatre, KNOTDance and The Staycee Pearl Dance Project.

Her choreography has been showcased in several LPPAC Dance Concerts, YSU’s Dance Ensemble Concert, Ascendance by Millennium Dance Complex, Dance Shorts by Texture Contemporary Ballet, EDT’s Choreography Project, Dance New Amsterdam and EVOLVE Production’s shows throughout Pittsburgh.

Student choreographers featured are Kait Carson, Andi Day, Hannah Hall, Erica Hays, Cassie Jenkins, Katie Kurdziel, Rachel Schmidt, Kenzie Sella, Dagmar Stahl and Alyssa Stiner.

Dancers include Anna Anders, Elizabeth Angeletti, Rosie Bresson, Halla Henry, AnnMarie Lowerre, Destiny Magee, Emily Marks, Mia Matthews, Emily McConnell, Macy Metzger, Sydney Moore, Ben Mowrer, Seth Nycum, Taryn Patterson, Kayla Peterson, Gillian Pirone, Jordan Record, Heather Ristau, Abigail Seidel and Abigail Whaley.

Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with valid ID, senior citizens, Penguin Club members and groups of eight or more. YSU student tickets are free with valid ID.

Tickets are available online at www.ysu.tix.com and by calling 330-941-3105. Remaining tickets will be available at the door prior to each performance.