It was a night full of dance, energy and entertainment.

The UTM Dance Ensemble, led by Dance Professor Claudia Morris, put on Viva La Vida on March 9 and 10 at the Vanguard Theatre.

With various dance styles like modern, Latin dancing and even today’s hip-hop, the spring dance ensemble was a diverse show that was engaging from beginning to end. The show kicked off with a playful dance entitled, “I Wish I Were in Love Again.” Dancers Justin Paschall and Victoria Show portrayed a young couple that fell in love and, as they grew older, they lost the love they once had when they were young.

Throughout the night, there were five, non-instrumental pieces. A guest speaker read a poem, while the dancers performed behind the speaker.

Justin Paschall, a Dance Education major, not only danced in the ensemble; he received the chance to choreograph one of the dance numbers. “Voices” was the name of the modern piece that was performed to music by Philip Glass. “I feel that my dancing has become a lot stronger since Ms. Morris came to UTM,” Paschall said. “I have taken my dancing to another level and after I graduate I want to dance professionally.”

Another major dance number, “Dance Me to the End of Love,” was a dream come true for Morris. “I have been thinking about this dance and looking for the perfect venue, but I never had the opportunity until I came here,” she said. “I had the talent. I had access to costumes, a great sound and lighting technician and it all came together.”

The night ended with a chance for the audience to join the Dance Ensemble and Guest Artist Ethan Pullman on stage for a little bit of salsa dancing. Ethan Pullman gave salsa, meringue and cha cha lessons the weekend prior to the dance ensemble production.