For more than 20 years, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance has defined contemporary ballet in Asheville. Founding director and choreographer Heather Maloy recruits young dancers from companies around the country to spend about five weeks working up new material and favorites from the company’s deep repertoire. Terpsicorps is now readying a program called “Ascendance,” with performances July 23-25 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

I’m Matt Peiken, the founding journalist of See Hear, covering the arts and culture of Western North Carolina. Let’s step into a rehearsal at UNCA’s Sherrill Center, and talk with Heather about her new choreography and her guiding internal compass.