By O’Dell Isaac Birthdays and anniversaries – particularly those ending in a five or a zero – often serve as opportunities for reflection. So when the Ormao Dance Company put together a concert to launch its 35th season, “reflection” seemed like a natural choice for a title, according t o Ormao founder Janet Johnson. “We titled it ‘Reflection’ because we’re at that 35th anniversary milestone,” Johnson said. “We’re really dedicated to making new work, so the December show will feature new work by a variety of different choreographers. And at the end of our season, we’ll be looking back at all the work we’ve done over the years.” Johnson founded Ormao in 1990 to provide opportunities for emerging dancers and choreographers. She began by putting together performances and offering dance classes, but as she developed relationships with local organizations, the company expanded its offerings to include a class for people living with Parkinson’s disease, a collaboration with TESSA titled “Hands are for Holding,” and several other outreach programs. A professional dancer and choreographer, Johnson is particularly passionate about modern and contemporary dance, which offers greater opportunity for personal expression than other dance forms, she said. “Dance has a way of communicating feeling,” she said. “Of all the dance forms, I believe modern and contemporary dance allows us the most freedom to communicate. That’s why I’m passionate about it.” The December concert will feature four original works:  “Breathe,” choreographed by Chung-Fu Chang; “Tether” by Ormao alum Mollie Wolf; “On TV: Episode 001” by Brandon Coleman; and “Echoes of the Heart Land” by Johnson and Laura Hymers Treglia. The pieces tackle a variety of issues, including the complexity of human relationships, the “universal rhythms of breath,” the depth and value of self-reflection, and women’s resiliency, Johnson said. For “Echoes,” Johnson did a deep dive (assisted by local women’s historians) into women’s contributions to the American Revolution. She learned that the women of the time were doing a lot more than keeping the home fires burning. “There was a lot of rich information,” she said. “Women were setting policy. They were developing ideas for what a new democracy might look like. Some of them were early suffragettes, though they didn’t get the right to vote until much later.” The research contributed to what Johnson considers a “meaty” piece, though she said each original work is powerful in its own way. Patrons looking for a traditional holiday dance performance should probably look elsewhere, Johnson cautions. “When people think of dance performances at this time of year, they think of ‘The Nutcracker’,” she said. “This is definitely not ‘The ‘Nutcracker.’ “People who come to the show will experience four different topics that will be conversation-worthy for months to come. If they come with a friend, I guarantee they will have a lot to talk about after they leave.” IF YOU GO What: “Reflection: A Professional Dance Concert” by the Ormao Dance Company When: 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Louisa Performing Arts Center, 21 Broadmoor Ave. Price: $23.44-$33.64, 719-471-9759, ormaodance.org ...read more read less