From its Dance Close-up faculty recital that opens the St. Louis dance season, through the big student dance concerts, to the senior recitals, Washington University's Performing Arts Department's dance program, under the direction of Mary-Jean Cowell, is consistently superior, both in concept and execution, giving students a chance to excel and audiences something to enjoy and even ponder. With faculty like Christine O'Neal, David Marchant, Asha Prem and Chiquita Payne, this should not be surprising. Remember, too, that its founder was Annelise Mertz, one of St. Louis' most important performing-arts figures.