They fly through the air with the greatest of ease.  The University of Tennessee Dance Company performed in the Clarence Brown Theatre on Saturday night. In eight different choreographed dances, the talented performers never ceased to impress the audience of all ages.

UTDC wowed the patrons with a mix of jazz, tap, modern and ballet routines. The routine titled "Hines on Broadway," choreographed by Kristi Boles, was a blend of tap and jazz. Accompanied by top hats, the ladies got that swing as they showed their moves. At one point in the dance, one of the girls began doing flips, ended with a round-off and then tapped off the stage. The audience went nuts for the acrobatic moves.

The modern dance portion made the audience think outside of the box step. Modern dance is one of the rare things that some people do not understand, to put it lightly. Even if you cannot understand the method in the madness that is modern dance, there is absolutely no denying the raw talent of the performers.

In the routines "Dialogue" and "Half Moon," the choreographers took modern dance to a more understandable level. "Dialogue" began with light shining from one side of the stage. It created an interesting look on an all black setting. The instrumental song was very powerful, making the dance moves very intricate and interesting. The dancers created a story, acting their emotions through complex movements and vivid facial expressions.

Of all the performers on the stage, one's eyes were automatically drawn to Sandy Shelton, the only male dancer in both of these routines. Also on the cover of the program, Shelton moved so flawlessly that it was almost as if he was attached to a harness. It was evident that he was one of the best dancers in the company in the first minute of "Dialogue."

The music appealed to all patrons ranging from Frank Sinatra to Cake. In "Tide Pool," the performers were going the distance with fluid movements. They simulated swimming while the blue lights shined on the scrim, giving the illusion of moving water.

The ballet portion of the night was in the routine "Ravel at Play." On tip toes, the dancers truly showed their talent to the instrumental song "Tzigane," by Maurice Ravel. This partner-oriented dance really put the three males to work. Shelton, Jonathan Netherland and James Devita were constantly changing partners with the nine other women.

The 90-minute performance flew by. The routines were well choreographed and splendidly executed. Up next, UTDC will attend the Southeast Regional in Tallahassee, Fla.