On Sept. 6, several members of the Mercyhurst Dance department traveled to the Zem Zem Shrine and Banquet Center to perform at the LECOM LifeWorks Erie Health Expo.

The Dance Outreach Team has been involved with LifeWorks Erie for years.

The goal for the Dance Outreach Team is to bring the art of dance into the Erie community, promoting the magic of the performing arts and inspiring others to express themselves in a way that reaches past language barriers.

Eleven pieces were performed by 20 dancers, including both group and solo works.

Members of the audience even got a sneak peak into a dance that will be included in the Dance department’s fall show, called Symphony in Motion.

The full performances of Symphony in Motion will take place Nov. 9-11. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students and children.

At the Health Expo, around 20 people sat and watched the Dance Outreach Team’s performance, but many others briefly observed on their way around the Health Expo.

Audience members “were very grateful for the opportunity to watch live dancing,” said Nina Hollopeter, co-president of the Dance Outreach Team.

“One audience member shared that it reminded her of how much she wanted to be a ballerina when she was younger,” Hollopeter said.

Even though the school year has just begun, the Mercyhurst dancers are already out and about, sharing their love of dance with the Erie community.