MATOAKA -- Students in Mercer County are getting a look at a new way to learn this week. The West Virginia Dance Company is holding their Mercer County residency program from March 8 - 12. They were at Lashmeet/Matoaka School on Tuesday, March 9. The dance troop held eight shows and two workshops at various locations around the county.

The performance is called "Around the World and Back Again." Co-Artistic Director Donald Laney said the program is unique as it has Science, Literature and History lessons built in.

"One thing that we do as we tour this whole state is we bring the art of dance in to show them a creative side to learning and not just book learning," said Laney

Leaders with the dance company say it is the only professional touring dance company in the history of West Virginia. They were awarded the 2010 Governors Award for Arts Education on Monday, March 8, 2010.