Dance Program

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Less than a month after undergoing emergency surgery, April Sargent-Thomas danced her way to the Olympic Winter Games.Sargent-Thomas, of Odgensburg, N.Y., and her partner Russ Witherby, of Cincinnati, won the free dance program last night and claimed their first national title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.Rachel Mayer of Wellesley, Mass., and Peter Breen, of Brockton, Mass., finished second in the free dance to claim the final U.S spot for next month's Winter Games in Alberville,France.

Those willing to drive, or take the train, to nearby cities can avail themselves of great dance this fall. Here are some of the best offerings:WASHINGTON*Once again the Kennedy Center has a great lineup of ballet companies scheduled for the '91-'92 season. Ballet West is at the Opera House Oct. 8-13, followed by the Kirov Ballet Oct. 15-17. Pacific Northwest Ballet takes up residence Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, with Dance Theater of Harlem in March 13-29. The Royal Danish Ballet closes the series with performances June 16-21.

The dance program at Towson State University is all-encompassing. Students are expected to study and be proficient in all forms of the art.Accordingly, the program that the TSU Dance Company presented last night at the campus Fine Arts Center contained a potpourri of styles reflecting the varied interests and talents of the student troupe.With seven premieres on the programs among eight dances shown, the 21-member company featured works from two student choreographers, Jennifer Koehler and Linda Cormier, plus offerings from artistic director Susan Leslie Grubb, managing director Dennis Price and guest choreographers Nancy Wanich Romida and Karen Mucciolo.